North American KRGs Join Global Effort as South Korea’s TRC3 Opens Historic Investigation into Adoption Rights Violations
- USKRG
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON/OTTAWA/SEOUL – February 25, 2026 – Today marks a watershed moment for the global Korean adoptee community as the third Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC3) of South Korea officially begins accepting cases for investigation into human rights violations within the country’s past international adoption practices.
The United States Korean Rights Group (USKRG) and Canada Korean Rights Group (CKRG) stand in solidarity with over 300 adoptees worldwide who are the first to submit their cases to uncover the truth of their origins to the TRC3. In a coordinated global effort, representatives from the Danish Korean Rights Group (DKRG) and KoRoot are hand-delivering case submissions at the TRC office at 9:00 AM KST in Seoul (7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST, February 25; 1:00 AM CET, February 26). Thanks to the Ibyang International Network, adoptees around the world will watch their cases being submitted via livestream at
USKRG and CKRG stand in solidarity with over 300 adoptees worldwide who are the first to submit their cases to uncover the truth of their origins to the TRC3.
“We welcome the opening of the TRC3 and it is great to be back with more cases than ever.” says BoonYoung Han, DKRG co-rep. “However, equally significant, if not more for our community world-wide, is how we have been able to ensure that foreign embassies and consulates are now obligated to receive TRC applications from victims to state violence residing outside Korea. It has been a key priority for us that the TRC3 would not only have a stronger mandate but also be more and better accessible for the potential applicants.”
“We have been able to ensure that foreign embassies and consulates are now obligated to receive TRC applications from victims to state violence residing outside Korea."
This new mandate follows the landmark findings of the second Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC2), which concluded in March 2025 that South Korea’s adoption industry was "rife with fraud and abuse". The TRC2 report officially acknowledged that the state facilitated a system where records were systematically falsified, children were "sent abroad like luggage" for profit, and biological origins were erased to expedite overseas placements.
While TRC2 was a victory for truth, it left 311 cases uninvestigated due to time constraints. Rob Anderson, USRKG Board Vice-President and TRC2 participant, stated that “Not having a resolution to my case was extremely disappointing. However, I am cautiously optimistic that I will receive it in TRC3.” The USKRG, CKRG, and their network of global KRGs remain hopeful that TRC3 will provide the necessary resources to properly investigate these pending cases alongside the new submissions.
"It is a fundamental human right to know the truth of one's origin," stated Michelle Leco, USKRG Board Secretary. "For decades, the lack of access to our true histories has affected Korean adoptees throughout our lives. We hope the findings of TRC3 will finally bring a measure of peace and open the door for full, transparent access to our histories."
"For decades, the lack of access to our true histories has affected Korean adoptees throughout our lives. We hope the findings of TRC3 will finally bring a measure of peace and open the door for full, transparent access to our histories."
The USKRG and CKRG remain committed to advocating for all adoptees as they seek justice, accountability, and the restoration of their stolen identities.
The Korean Rights Groups of North America, U.S. Korean Rights Group (USKRG) and Canadian Korean Rights Group (CKRG) started as non-partisan, grassroots movements by a small group of like-minded volunteers living across the United States and Canada. We are Korean adoptees, professionals, family members, and activists participating in our communities with the belief that international adoptions to the United States and Canada should be conducted ethically, free from monetary incentives, and in full compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Together, we advocate for Korean adoptees’ right to know their origins, accountability of adoption agencies, worldwide awareness of adoptee issues, and information empowerment for Korean adoptees.
Media Contacts:
United States: Yuh Schabacker-Koppel info@uskrg.org
Canada (English): Kelly Foston canadakrg@gmail.com
Canada (French): Kimura Byol canada.ckrg@gmail.com
South Korea: Boon Young Han: boonyoung.han@danishkorean.dk
USKRG: www.uskrg.org
