Children bear cost of adoption delays, advocate says
Children awaiting adoption in Korea are losing precious time to form bonds with permanent families as lengthy reviews and unclear screening standards delay placements, the head of an adoptive families’ advocacy group said. In an interview with The Korea Times after a press conference Tuesday outside the Board of Audit and Inspection in central Seoul, Oh Chang-hwa, head of the National Adoptive…
Children awaiting adoption in South Korea are facing delays that prevent them from forming lasting connections with their future families, according to a leading advocate for adoptive families. Oh Chang-hwa, head of the National Adoptive Family Federation, spoke out after a press conference outside the Board of Audit and Inspection in central Seoul, urging for swifter adoption matching and clearer assessment standards. He lamented, "Children are there and parents are there. But they cannot meet."
His advocacy group, alongside six others, submitted a petition to the state auditor, urging an inspection of the screening and matching processes under the newly implemented adoption system, which came into effect on July 19, 2025. The transition of adoption responsibility from private agencies to central and local governments has sparked concerns over administrative delays, inconsistent screening practices, and the extensive gathering of sensitive family information.
The petition highlights the administrative hurdles faced by children and prospective parents, emphasizing the need for a more efficient and transparent adoption process.
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- Children bear cost of adoption delays, advocate says koreatimes.co.kr
