South Korea to Phase Out Foreign Child Adoption Program by 2029

South Korea has approved a plan to gradually phase out its long-running program that allows foreigners to adopt South Korean children by 2029, following repeated concerns over irregularities and abuse. According to The Korea Herald, the government has begun working on concrete measures to reform a system that has existed for decades and drawn widespread criticism.

Third Pillar Policy: Government to Take Over Adoptions, Prioritise Local Families, End Overseas Adoptions by 2029

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the initiative, known as the “Third Pillar,” with the goal of strengthening child safety in the country. As part of this initiative, the ministry approved a new regulation titled the “Policy Plan.”

Under the plan, the government will take full control of adoption procedures, replacing private agencies, and will prioritize South Korean families in the adoption process. The policy will allow overseas adoptions only in exceptional cases and aims to effectively bring such practices to an end by 2029.

Beyond adoption reforms, the plan also introduces measures to improve investigations into child deaths and expand social support for families with children.

Also Read:Woman Sexually Assaulted After Birthday Party in Udaipur; IT Firm CEO Held

Earlier this year, South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission held past governments responsible for widespread irregularities and abuses in overseas adoptions carried out between 1960 and 1990, during which hundreds of children were adopted by Western countries.

In October, President Lee Jae Myung expressed deep regret over the “anxiety, pain, and confusion” faced by South Koreans adopted abroad as children and issued an official apology to the victims and their families on behalf of the nation.

Also Read:Kuldeep Singh Sengar’s sentence suspension raises serious legal and ethical concerns