South Korea’s President issues apology over abusive practices in foreign adoption program.

In a significant move towards reconciliation, President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea has formally apologized for the country’s controversial foreign adoption program, which was established in the wake of the Korean War (1950-1953). This program, which aimed to remove mixed-race children from society, caused considerable distress to more than 14,000 children sent abroad, highlighting systemic issues regarding human rights and ethical standards in international adoptions.

In a heartfelt message shared on Facebook, President Lee expressed his profound regret for the “anxiety, pain, and confusion” experienced by South Koreans adopted overseas as well as their respective families. His apology comes seven months after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings, which held the government accountable for numerous practices that violated the rights of adoptees. This included the troubling tactics of falsifying records to depict children as abandoned or orphans, undermining their identities and connection to their heritage.

During his address, President Lee conveyed his heavy heart when reflecting on the experiences of South Korean adoptees. He called for the establishment of mechanisms to uphold the human rights of these individuals, urging officials to support their journeys in locating their biological parents. This call for reform aims not only to provide justice for past grievances but also to ensure that similar violations do not recur in the future.

The foreign adoption program commenced as a response to a societal emphasis on ethnic uniformity, notably during a time when mixed-race children born to local mothers and American soldiers faced significant stigmatization. Between 1955 and 1999, over 140,000 children were placed in international adoptions. Despite public sentiment shifting, contemporary adoptions continue, with an average of over 100 children annually being sent abroad, primarily from unmarried women encountering societal ostracism.

In a landmark decision, South Korea ratified The Hague Adoption Convention in July, an international treaty designed to enhance protections surrounding international adoptions, marking a pivotal step towards reform. This treaty officially took effect in South Korea recently, providing a framework to safeguard the rights of children involved in adoption processes.

President Lee’s apologies come in a historical context where previous leaders acknowledged wrongdoing yet fell short of fully addressing the state’s role in these practices. The commitment to change reflects a broader movement within South Korea to confront and rectify past injustices, aligning with modern values of human rights and social responsibility.

South Korea’s approach to this sensitive issue not only underscores a commitment to ethical reform in adoption but also illustrates the country’s evolving perspective on social challenges, paving the way for a more inclusive future. #CultureNews #PoliticsNews