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Community feedback request
Over the past few weeks there has been increased news media coverage of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's investigation updates, largely driven by the TRC's interim report findings that outlined problematic conduct and processes within the four major Korean adoption agencies.
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A handful of brave Korean adoptees in Australia have spoken to media and shared personal life experiences as an adoptee and/or represented views of advocacy groups. We've heard from many of you that you'd appreciate reading more responses/reactions about how your peers are feeling at the moment so we'd like to help get more voices out there.
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We've set up this short feedback form to hear from you (anonymous by default) and will share responses via our online channels.
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This survey is targeted at Korean adoptees however we welcome responses from adoptive parents of Korean adoptees too.
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Recent updates
(last updated 27/04/25)
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The TRC provided an interim findings report that while “interim”, stated there was sufficient evidence to confirm systemic issues relating to lack of proper consent for adoption, fabrication of records, deliberate identity substitution and neglect of Korean adoption agency guardianship duties. TRC recommends measures such as an official Korean govt apology and remedies for adoptee victims whose identities were found to be falsified:
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The Truth & Reconciliation press release - 26 March 2025
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The Australia-United States Korean Rights Group (responsible for submitting Australia’s adoptee cases to the TRC) releases a response to the interim findings:
https://auskrg.com/auskrg-26-mar-2025/
KADS Connect forms as an advocacy group in Australia and opens a petition for support of a National Inquiry into human rights abuses in South Korean adoptions to Australia (still open, 1200+ signatures to date):
KADS Connect National Inquiry into human rights abuses in South Korean adoptions to Australia
Current status of the TRC investigation:
South Korean truth commission halts probe into adoption fraud, hundreds of cases in limbo
Australia media coverage
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​Channel 10 - The Project (aired 10 Apr 2025)​
South Korean Cover-Up Meant Babies Were Stolen, Not Adopted
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​ABC News - 9 Apr 2025
Australian adoptees call for inquiry in wake of South Korean overseas adoptions scandal
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The Age/Sydney Morning Herald - 31 Mar 2025 (paywall)
‘I believed I was an orphan’: Australians caught up in global adoption scandal
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ABC News - 30 Mar 2025
South Korea releases long-awaited report into overseas adoptions of thousands of children
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SBS World News - 28 Mar 2025
Pippa came to Australia in a 'mass export of children'. She wants answers about her birth
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ABC - The National Radio Hour - 27 Mar 2025
South Korea acknowledges human rights of thousands of adopted children were violated​
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ABC News - 26 Aug 2024
Calls for Korean adoptions to end amid alleged orphan 'trafficking' scandal
ABC - Background Briefing - 3 Aug 2024
Korean adoptee groups leading advocacy activities​
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AUSKRG
Australia-United States Korean Rights Group
Following the Danish Korean Rights Group making a successful submission to Korea's Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC), there was a small window of opportunity to submit further cases and have all major Korean adoption agencies brought into scope of the investigation. AUSKRG was formed to represent the cases relating Eastern Social Welfare Society, the agency that facilitated nearly all Korean adoptions into Australia. Their current focus is ensuring the TRC completes the investigation in Korea.
KADS Connect
"We are a passionate, Australian-Korean organisation dedicated to advocating for South Korean adoptees whose human rights have been violated by the South Korean government, Eastern Social Welfare Society, and the Australian Federal and State government."
KADS Connect are currently petitioning for a National Inquiry into Australia’s role (All states and federal) in the adoption of South Korean children.
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