{"id":2206042,"date":"2024-08-05T17:11:27","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T08:11:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2206042"},"modified":"2024-08-06T17:00:14","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T08:00:14","slug":"overseas-korean-adoptees-struggle-for-answers-in-the-face-of-red-tape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/08\/overseas-korean-adoptees-struggle-for-answers-in-the-face-of-red-tape\/","title":{"rendered":"Overseas Korean adoptees struggle for answers in the face of red tape"},"content":{"rendered":"
For overseas Korean adoptees, the search for birth families is a leap into the unknown. They must confront the possibility of unearthing painful truths or hitting dead ends, all while grappling with questions of identity and belonging.<\/span><\/p>\n The decision to start this emotionally fraught journey is deeply personal, often driven by a longing for closure, a desire to connect with one\u2019s roots, or a sense of duty to future generations.<\/span><\/p>\n Robert Kim Kippers, adopted by a Dutch-Canadian family at age 10 in the early 1970s, waited until retirement to confront his own hidden history. A Canadian documentary sparked his journey, exposing the <\/span>fraudulent records<\/span><\/a> used to facilitate overseas adoptions like his own.<\/span><\/p>\n The film sowed doubts about the truthfulness of his own papers. With time and financial stability on his side, Kippers resolved to visit South Korea and unravel the mystery of his origins.<\/span><\/p>\n But his search revealed that numerous bureaucratic, linguistic and cultural hurdles stand in the way of adoptees finding their family members, even as South Korea slowly makes changes that some hope will improve the process.<\/span><\/p>\n NAVIGATING BARRIERS AND BUREAUCRACY<\/b><\/p>\n For many adoptees, the path to their past is riddled with roadblocks. Unlike Kippers, not all have the financial means or flexibility to travel to South Korea independently. Conducting a search from abroad has limitations, and the costs of visiting can be prohibitive.<\/span><\/p>\n Some adoptees seek sponsorship through organizations like <\/span>Me & Korea<\/span><\/a>, which has brought around 25 adult English-speaking adoptees a year to explore their origins since 2013. However, competition for these spots is fierce.<\/span><\/p>\n Those who embark on the journey alone often struggle to find a starting point. Language barriers can further impede progress for adoptees who don\u2019t speak Korean. Kippers enlisted the help of this writer, but those without personal connections or language skills may need to hire interpreters or turn to nonprofits and NGOs for assistance.<\/span><\/p>\n Regardless of the approach, most adoptees begin by contacting their Korean adoption agency. Four main organizations handle overseas adoptions: <\/span>Eastern Social Welfare Society<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Holt Korea<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Korea Social Service<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Korea Welfare Services<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Adoptees request their complete records, which often contain information not previously disclosed to their adoptive parents. Those who can travel to South Korea may request an in-person file viewing for a more comprehensive look at their history.<\/span><\/p>\n