Analysis: South Korea's forced adoption scandal

The scandal impacts South Korea's international reputation

Event or Trend: An investigation has revealed that thousands of South Korean mothers were coerced into giving up their babies for international adoption during the 1960s-1980s.

Significance: The recent findings by South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission are a critical revelation about the country’s adoption history, highlighting systemic human rights violations. During the post-war period, South Korea’s international adoption program was portrayed as an altruistic solution to poverty and the overpopulation of orphanages. The investigation uncovered that many of these adoptions were coerced, targeting unwed and vulnerable mothers.

The scandal impacts South Korea’s reputation and raises ethical questions about international adoption processes involving Western countries. It is significant not only for the adoptees and birth mothers seeking justice but also for global adoption systems that may need reform. Understanding this issue is crucial for governments, legal entities, and h…