South Korea has announced a historic ban on private overseas adoptions, marking a pivotal shift after decades of systemic issues. The decision follows numerous reports of fraudulent practices and exploitation within the adoption system, affecting thousands of children sent abroad since the 1950s.
Among those impacted is Kara Shroeder, a Korean-American adoptee who shared her emotional journey with CGTN. Born in South Korea and adopted by a U.S. family in 1976, Shroeder spent eight years searching for her biological parents. Her official records claim she was abandoned – a narrative she questions given widespread evidence of fabricated paperwork in past adoption cases.
"The system failed to protect our stories," Shroeder said, reflecting on her fruitless search. Her experience underscores the human cost of adoption practices now under scrutiny. The new reforms prioritize domestic adoptions and mandate stricter oversight, signaling South Korea's effort to reconcile with this complex chapter of its social history.
This policy shift resonates with global audiences, particularly Asian diaspora communities reconnecting with their heritage. Analysts suggest it could influence adoption policies worldwide while offering closure to those seeking biological roots.
