• South Korea's president apologizes for historical malpractices in overseas adoptions.
• An official inquiry revealed systemic human rights violations in the adoption process.
• Over 140,000 children were sent abroad for adoption between 1955 and 1999.
• The apology addresses emotional suffering caused to adoptees and their families.
• The government has committed to improving adoption practices and safeguarding human rights.

On October 2, 2025, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung issued an apology for the country’s long history of malpractices in sending children abroad for adoption, stating that “unjust human rights violations” had occurred during the adoption process. This apology is the first formal acknowledgment from the government regarding these issues, following an official inquiry that found the government complicit in easing adoptions through fraudulent means, such as falsifying documents and switching identities, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

This program originated in the post-war era after the Korean War (1950-53) as a means to remove mixed-race children from society, with over 140,000 children being sent for adoption internationally between 1955 and 1999. Many of these children faced systemic challenges, as indicated by President Lee's statement reflecting on the “anxiety, pain, and confusion” experienced by those affected. He emphasized the need for the government to take responsibility and support efforts for adoptees to reconnect with their birth parents, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

The disclosure of these violations came from findings by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which investigated complaints from adoptees around the world. The commission identified numerous fraudulent practices, including improper legal consent procedures from South Korean birth parents. This inquiry prompted the government to formally apologize and acknowledge its failures, as recounted by President Lee, who has expressed a commitment to reform the adoption process and safeguard the rights of children involved, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

Historically, while former president Kim Dae-jung had previously issued an apology in 1998, it lacked acknowledgment of state responsibility. President Lee's formal statement represents a more comprehensive approach to addressing these longstanding issues, reinforcing the need for responsible governance and accountability in social welfare practices, as highlighted in reports from South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.