celebrating Adoption Day: Recognizing contributions and Charting a New Course

South Korea recently marked its 20th annual Adoption day, a moment to celebrate adoptive families and acknowledge those dedicated to improving the lives of adopted children. The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Child Rights Security jointly hosted the event at Sejong University in Seoul, highlighting the importance of adoption and the rights of adopted individuals.

Honoring Champions of Adoption: Presidential Commendations

During the ceremony, sixteen individuals were recognized for thier outstanding contributions to adoption awareness and for safeguarding the interests of both adoptees and adoptive families. These honorees received citations from the President and Prime Minister, and also the Minister of Health and Welfare.

Among those honored were Yoo Jae-hoon,president of the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation,who received the presidential citation for his 12 years of service to Overseas adoptees,an organization dedicated to protecting the rights and establishing the identities of overseas adoptees. Kim Se-jin, head of Smilegate Holdings, was also commended for his work as an advocate for adoption, particularly for children with disabilities. Kim, himself an adoptive parent of a child with meaningful congenital disorders, has worked tirelessly to combat social prejudice through public speaking, media appearances, and his involvement in sports for the disabled.

It is a responsibility for the future for each child to grow healthy in the family’s arms.

Lee Ki-il, the first vice minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare

Adoption Trends: A Shift Towards Domestic Placements

While South Korea has a long history of international adoptions, recent years have seen a significant increase in domestic adoptions. Of the 254,000 children approved for adoption by the court, in 2024, 72.6% were adopted within korea. This represents a notable shift from previous years, reflecting changing social attitudes and government policies aimed at supporting domestic adoption.

Demographics of Adoption

In 2024, domestic adoptions showed a near-equal gender distribution, with 50.6% girls and 49.4% boys. Tho, international adoptions saw a higher proportion of girls (72.4%) compared to boys (27.6%).The vast majority of children adopted, both domestically and internationally, are under the age of three. Specifically, 81.1% of children put up for adoption were from unmarried mothers, and 16.5% were abandoned children.

International Adoption Destinations

For international adoptions, the United States remains the primary destination, accounting for 70.7% of cases in 2024. Other significant destinations include Australia (8.6%), Canada (6.9%), Sweden (5.2%),Norway (5.2%), and Italy (3.4%).

The Future of Adoption: A Publicly Managed System

A significant change is on the horizon for South Korea’s adoption system. Starting July 19th,the adoption process will transition from a primarily private sector operation to a publicly managed system. This reorganization aims to enhance openness, accountability, and support for both adoptive families and adoptees throughout the entire process.

The move towards a national responsibility adoption system underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a loving and supportive family environment. This transition is expected to streamline the adoption process, provide greater resources for adoptive families, and strengthen protections for children in need of permanent homes.