Press Release | Press Conference Findings to be released in probe of allegedly fraudulent international adoptions

Preliminary findings will soon be released from a years-long investigation by the Korean Truth and Reconciliation Commission into potentially fraudulent adoption cases that some advocates say amounted to human trafficking.

In August 2022, the Danish Korean Rights Group (DKRG) formally requested the commission investigate both individual adoption cases and the systemic structures behind Korea’s adoption practices. Preliminary results from that investigation will be shared in a press conference on March 26.

Three years ago, dozens of South Koreans adopted in the 70s and 80s formally demanded the South Korean government investigate their adoptions, which they say were marred by widespread practices that misrepresented or concealed their true family origins. Numerous complaints allege that children were unnecessarily and intentionally separated from their biological families due to weak government oversight, and insufficient due diligence or manipulation on behalf of the adoption agencies. 

Live Stream Press Conference: March 25 US Central Time/March 26 Korean Standard Time

The TRC press meeting will sadly not be streamed live. TRC has decided on some last minute changes. We will wait for the conclusions of the press conference and publish those results when available.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission President Park Sun-Yung and co-founder of the Danish Korean Rights Group (DKRG) Peter Møller will share the preliminary report findings.

History of Allegations

The call for an investigation into South Korean adoptions gained momentum after two Danish Korean adoptees – Peter Møller and Boonyoung Han – uncovered troubling patterns in their adoption stories. Together they founded the Danish Korean Rights Group, an association that advocates for the rights of Korean adoptees to understand their true family histories. Initially, they believed most adoptions were legitimate, but their research uncovered a troubling reality: every case they reviewed had significant issues. 

“Together, we will work to ensure that the report’s findings are implemented meaningfully for the over 120,000 Korean adoptees living in the U.S.,” says Katrine Andersen, a Korean adoptee who co-founded USKRG “We are committed to seeing justice done and want to ensure that those Korean adoptees wishing to learn about their true identities are able to do so. 

“We want our Korean relatives who may have been searching for their lost children to know that we are OK,” said Yuh Koppel, a Korean adoptee who co-founded USKRG “We want adoption agencies and those institutions responsible for looking the other way to be accountable and help mend the wounds and broken hearts. We are seeking genuine collaborations to facilitate seamless reestablishment of connections to our biological roots. We ask that every country involved in international adoptions look inward and ensure that no more children are wrongfully removed from their biological families.” 

The Korean commission’s inquiry into potential human rights violations in international adoptions has since prompted similar investigations in other countries, including Norway, Sweden, and France.

The preliminary report being released this week will address the history of allegations. A comprehensive, in-depth report will be delivered about a month later, expected to be hundreds of pages long, translated from Korean into several languages.

Global Community of Adoptees

The US Korean Rights Group (USKRG) encourages Korean adoptees residing in the U.S to join the USKRG Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/916235940534027.

On Friday March 28, USKRG and DKRG leaders will hold a virtual information meeting for active USKRG members, giving Korean adoptees living in the USA an opportunity to ask questions and understand the next steps towards reconciliation.

Contact

Email the US Korean Rights Group (USKRG) at uskoreanrightsgroup@gmail.com

About U.S. Korean Rights Group (USKRG)

At the US Korean Rights Group (USKRG), we envision a world where all Korean adoptees in the United States have the right to access their personal files and true backgrounds, fostering a deeper understanding of their identities and histories. We believe that every individual deserves transparency and connection to their roots. Visit www.uskrg.com for more information.