Adoptees urge South Korea to expand access to their records and improve family searches

South Korean adoptees from Western countries marched outside Seoul's presidential office on Friday, demanding full access to their records and improved efforts to trace their biological families. Many of these families have been hindered by inaccurate or falsified files due to South Korea's long-standing post-adoption policies. A coalition of nine adoptee organizations from Europe and the United States, along with human rights advocates, urged the South Korean government to expand DNA testing and matching services, as well as broaden access to administrative and residential records.

They also called for investigations into the manipulation of adoption records and the wrongful separations of children from their parents. The protest followed a similar event last week, where hundreds of Korean adoptees gathered in Seoul. The current system is managed by the National Center for the Rights of the Child, but the government is considering giving more authority to the Overseas Korean Agency, which falls under the Foreign Ministry and could better coordinate with Western countries.

Lawmakers are also debating bills that would ease privacy restrictions, allowing adoptees to obtain information about their birth parents, unless the parents have explicitly requested confidentiality. South Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Commission found the government responsible for facilitating an adoption program plagued by fraud and abuse.

In response to the commission's report, President Lee Jae Myung apologized to adoptees and their families, urging officials to find better ways to support their efforts to locate their birth families. Despite Lee's apology, adoptee and activist groups say meaningful action has yet to be taken a year later. They argue that truth-findings, remedies, and the restoration of rights cannot be delayed any longer, as time is running out for some adoptees whose parents may have passed away.