On October 2, the Ministry of Health and Welfare convened the 3rd Adoption Policy Committee to review the progress made since the reorganization of the public adoption system last July. As procedural improvements continued, the number of successful matches between children and prospective adoptive parents rose significantly, from 16 at the end of March to 122 at the end of September.
In July 2025, the government transitioned the entire adoption process—which had previously been handled by private adoption agencies—to a public adoption system managed by the national and local governments and public institutions. This measure was intended to strengthen public accountability throughout the entire adoption process, prioritizing “the best interests of the child.” However, delays arose as adoption applications from prospective adoptive parents were funneled through a single point of contact.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare implemented improvement measures starting March 19. Beginning April 30, adoption applications—which had previously been accepted only by certified mail—began to be accepted online, and applicants can now check the status of their applications online. Basic training for prospective adoptive parents was increased from twice a month to four times a month and expanded to non-metropolitan areas such as Daejeon and Daegu. New courses were introduced, including one on parent-child attachment and special training on raising children with special needs. The number of staff conducting home environment assessments was increased from 13 to 26, and adoption review meetings were expanded from once a month to two or three times a month, with priority given to children in institutional care and those in foster care. The staff of the Adoption Division at the Agency for the Protection of Children’s Rights was also increased from 40 to 60.
As a result, compared to March 19, the number of prospective adoptive families that had completed home studies by the end of September increased approximately threefold, from 109 to 322, while the number of families that had completed basic training doubled, from 323 to 652. The 122 children for whom matches were finalized have moved on to the court’s adoption approval stage.
Support for adoptees seeking their roots will also be strengthened. Approximately 240,000 adoption records transferred from private adoption agencies are currently stored in a temporary repository. The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to conduct tests for harmful bacteria and pests and perform selective disinfection in October, followed by a phased transfer to the National Archives of Korea in November and December for permanent preservation.
Delays in the disclosure of adoption information are also being addressed. The number of staff dedicated to information disclosure has been increased from 5 to 20, and the process—which previously took a long time to verify consent from birth parents—has been revised to prioritize the provision of information after anonymizing personal data. As a result, the processing rate for adoption information disclosure rose from approximately 16% at the end of June to 26% at the end of August. The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to link this process to follow-up services, such as support for reunions with birth parents.
The Adoption Policy Committee is a special committee under the Child Policy Coordination Committee, established pursuant to the Special Act on Domestic Adoption, and is chaired by the Minister of Health and Welfare. Its members include academics, medical and legal experts, judges recommended by the National Court Administration, adoptees themselves, and representatives of adoptee family organizations.
Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyung stated, “The ultimate goal of public adoption is to ensure that all children grow up healthy in happy families and to create a society where adoptees can fully discover their identity and be respected.” She added, “We will actively reflect the voices from the field and expedite improvements to the entire process so that children can find warm families in a timely manner.”
