South Korea closing out international adoption

08-11-2009 5,634 views Adoption 5 Comments

So this is about as off topic as you can get, but I had to share. My wife sent the following article to me that I thought others may want to read as well: Korea Slowly Closes to Adoption (I'm linking to the plain print format as it doesn't require a login.) I've mentioned adoption more than once here, but in case it isn't really well known, my kids are all adopted, and all adopted from South Korea. My family is - in my mind anyway - a South Korean/American family. A mix. I love that. I love that my kids don't look the same as my wife and I. I love that we are unique. But now I kind of feel like our type of family is coming to an end. Rationally, I can look at these changes as Koreans taking care of their own, which is good I suppose, but it feels like my entire type of family is coming to an end.

I don't know how others feel about this - native Koreans, adoptees, etc. But I'm truly saddened by this, and feel pretty blessed that I was able to help create the family I have now. I hope South Korea can place all those children waiting for families.

I don't expect much comment on this - just wanted to share and hopefully give folks something to think about. I promise an on topic post next.

5 Comments

Jared #

Commented on 08-11-2009 at 2:36 PM
Ray,

I definitely see how this would sadden you. My wife and I are hoping to adopt someday, and several of our friends have adopted children from overseas. There are so many unwanted kinds across many countries, that I have to take this as positive news for Korea though. This just means people will focus more on adopting kids from other needy countries.

God bless you for being a good Father!

Bob Courchaine #

Commented on 08-11-2009 at 3:34 PM
Ray, I have three kids, all adopted from South Korea, as well.

Not sure this saddens me. Rather, it makes me wonder if it means that adoption is becoming more acceptable in S. Korea.

We adopted through the Children's Home Society of MN, reputed to be the first American institution to work with S. Korea on adoption. One of the main reasons we were given for how important foreign adoption was that the kids had virtually no chance of success if left in Korea.

I'll be following the news related to this and will be anxious to hear the reactions from other Korean Americans we're connected with through the various Korean Culture Camps our kids have gone to.

Bob Courchaine #

Commented on 08-11-2009 at 3:39 PM
doh! maybe i should have read the article first.

they do refer to it being somewhat a good thing as domestic adoption is becoming more acceptable.

makes me feel a little better...

Amy #

Commented on 10-21-2009 at 11:37 AM
Hmm, I came to this post a bit late. But, I'm glad I did. Thanks for posting this. As you know from a previous post, I'm adopted from SK.. I had to share that article with my parents. I'm surprised by it - I'm one of three kids that were adopted from South Korea in my family (two cousins are also adopted from there)... I do feel a bit of hope that they are adopting more and more within the country. But it is a bit sad that they are discontinuing all international adoptions.

But, I will always be thankful to my parents and whatnot, that I was adopted when I was - I couldn't see life any other way.

p.s. next MAX, I'll definitely stop by the Unconference to say hello!

ps #

Commented on 01-17-2010 at 2:22 PM
I'm sad to hear they are closing the program. We just adopted the most beautiful little boy from S. Korea and want him to have brothers and sisters from there as well. We are not sure that we will be able to complete our family in that time frame. I also am a little sad for the children since from my understanding they are placed in orphanges after age 1. I could be wrong but I'd rather children have a loving home anywhere than have to live in an orphanage in hopes that they will be adopted by a national.

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Raymond Camden