South Korea's Adoption Scandal: A Legacy of Fraud and Deception

South Korea's truth commission report reveals widespread fraud in the government's foreign adoption program, driven by efforts to reduce welfare costs. It highlights systemic issues, with private agencies manipulating children's backgrounds, and urges governmental acknowledgment of these human rights violations, petitioning for more comprehensive oversight and adoptee assistance.

The South Korean Truth and Reconciliation Commission has released a damning report, holding the government accountable for a foreign adoption system plagued by deceit and malpractice. The commission's findings, the result of nearly three years of investigation, expose widespread manipulation of adoptees' backgrounds to facilitate their placement abroad.

The report follows investigations into 367 adoptees' complaints from Western countries, confirming human rights violations in numerous cases. Despite revealing grave concerns, the commission's scope was limited by insufficient evidence, sparking criticism from some insiders about the restrained language used in the report.

Call for change is intensifying as the commission recommends an official apology and enhanced support for adoptees. This report represents a crucial step in addressing the historical injustices faced by Korean adoptees and highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure ethical practices in future adoption processes.

(With inputs from agencies.)