By Ma Kyung-hee

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As of July 19, under the Special Act on Domestic Adoption and the Act on International Adoption, the Korean government has assumed full responsibility for managing both domestic and international adoptions, marking a transition from a private agency-led model to a public system.

These reforms aim to streamline adoption procedures while upholding the best interests of the child. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, in coordination with local governments and the National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC), now oversees the entire process. The new system, though long overdue, represents a meaningful step toward greater transparency, accessibility and consistency across all stages of adoption.

This shift holds particular significance for Korean adoptees, some of whom were sent abroad through unethical practices such as document falsification, coercion, deceit and child abduction, highlighting the need for reform. The Adoption Information Disclosure Support Team within the NCRC will lead efforts to improve access to adoption records. Adoptees may submit a request form via the official website (www.kadoption.or.kr), and applications will be processed in the order they are received. Unfortunately, intake of requests by this new service has been suspended through Sept. 15 to allow for the implementation of data security protocols and the clearance of a backlog.

While this administrative transition is understandable, June through August is the peak season for adoptee visits to Korea. Of the 2,500 to 3,000 adoptees who visit Korea annually, a substantial number arrive in the summer. The abrupt suspension of services with insufficient notice may lead to confusion and disappointment for some.

Advance communication regarding service availability, procedural changes and the involvement of new entities is essential to setting clear expectations and enabling adoptees to plan meaningful visits. Ideally, core services should remain accessible during periods of heightened demand.

Under the new system, adoption information disclosure processes are separated from translation services for birth family reunions and correspondence. The NCRC will first identify a match between an adoptee and a birth family. After confirming, they will obtain mutual consent to share information with Nest Korea, a Seoul-based nonprofit organization that assumes responsibility for letter exchanges, interpretation and other forms of communication support. Nest Korea has provided support for overseas Korean adoptees seeking reconnection with their roots for over two decades.

While Nest Korea has cultivated a dedicated group of volunteer interpreters, additional training and orientation would further strengthen their capacity. Interpretation in adoption-related reunions is uniquely delicate and emotionally charged. It often requires navigating deep emotional currents and long-held unresolved trauma. Interpreters in these settings are more than language experts—they serve as cultural mediators who bridge linguistic and cultural divides to reunite families and facilitate connection through communication grounded in humility and sensitivity.

Such interpretation demands a high level of linguistic sophistication and intercultural competence, together with the ability to remain neutral and balanced in highly charged situations. Interpreters must help create a space where both adoptees and birth families can express themselves in ways that honor their experiences and allow them to feel heard and understood. To do so, they need to approach each culture both from within and through the lens of the other. Interpreters must also engage in ongoing self-reflection to ensure their presence supports, rather than shapes, the unfolding reunion. Ultimately, this is a nuanced, relational process that extends far beyond basic translation.

Equally important is proper documentation, which is essential not only for the benefit of clients but also for the protection of service providers. While standards for caseworkers may not be directly applicable to volunteers, relying solely on verbal reports from volunteers after the fact risks inconsistency and miscommunication.

To ensure clarity, continuity and accountability, even brief exchanges should be documented using a standardized form. By investing in the expanded training and oversight of volunteer translators, organizations like Nest Korea can more effectively support adoptees and birth families as they navigate the often life-changing process of reunion.

Public oversight of adoption signifies a critical advancement in safeguarding children’s rights and prioritizing their best interests. To truly meet the needs of children, however, reform must go beyond procedural improvements and address the lifelong impact of adoption on identity and well-being.

A child’s welfare is inseparable from the socio-cultural context surrounding their adoption. This means that the experiences and rights of birth parents — particularly birth mothers — must also be recognized as part of a child-centered system. Achieving this vision requires strong value-driven coordination and cooperation among pertinent government agencies and service providers.

Adoption reform, to be both ethical and effective, must uphold the dignity of all involved, with the child’s well-being and future as its guiding principle.