Australian Adoptees Seek Government Inquiry into South Korean Adoption Practices

Highlights:

• Australian-Korean adoptees are petitioning for a federal investigation into overseas adoptions from South Korea.

• Allegations include document falsification and misidentification of adoptees by South Korean agencies.

• KADS Connect urges transparency and access to birth records from state and federal authorities.

A growing number of adoptees of South Korean origin in Australia are calling for a formal investigation into the historical handling of international adoptions. The focus centers on the systemic management of adoptions from South Korea since the late seventies, with claims of ethical breaches and human rights concerns gaining traction.

KADS Connect, a newly established advocacy group formed by Australian-Korean adoptees, is petitioning the federal government to review the involvement of national and state-level agencies. The organisation aims to shed light on long-standing issues tied to documentation practices, identification errors, and restricted access to personal records.

Interim Findings from South Korea Raise Alarming Concerns

The push for accountability follows interim findings from a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Korea. This commission has been examining the conduct of privately owned adoption agencies within the country. Evidence has surfaced pointing to widespread falsification of records, including manipulated birth certificates and altered identities of adopted children.

Eastern Social Welfare Society, the agency involved in all adoptions from South Korea to Australia, has been specifically mentioned. Investigations have revealed that personnel affiliated with the agency allegedly exchanged money with healthcare facilities in return for newborns. In one instance, a child was adopted using the identity of a deceased infant, altered only by the addition of a character in the record.

Adoptees Demand Reform and Access to Historical Records

Adoptees in Australia are reporting significant difficulty in retrieving accurate information about their origins. Many have expressed frustration at what they describe as administrative barriers, misinformation, and resistance from both state and federal departments. Advocates argue that these practices obstruct their basic right to know their backgrounds.

One adoptee, who was placed with an Australian family in the late eighties, has shared her experience of discovering that her biological parents had never formally consented to the adoption. Her story underscores the emotional and ethical complexity surrounding many of these cases. She stated that while other countries have acted to address systemic misconduct, Australia has not initiated a similar inquiry.

Political Support for a Formal Inquiry Emerging

In response to public pressure and advocacy efforts, there are indications of political momentum building in support of a national investigation. A parliamentary inquiry has been proposed following the federal election, with calls growing for a comprehensive examination into the role of Australian institutions in overseas adoptions.

This inquiry would align with initiatives undertaken in other regions, where government-led investigations have acknowledged historical wrongdoing and introduced reforms to adoption frameworks. Adoptee-led groups in Australia argue that a similar review is necessary to ensure transparency and prevent the recurrence of past misconduct.

Ongoing Push for Recognition and Accountability

As the campaign by KADS Connect gains attention, the human rights aspects of international adoption remain at the forefront. The petition highlights a broader call for justice, aiming to have the experiences of adoptees formally recognised and to establish pathways for accessing family and birth documentation.

The issue continues to resonate deeply within the community of adoptees, many of whom are seeking not only answers but systemic changes that acknowledge the longstanding impact of adoption policies and practices.