Truth and Reconciliation Commission Begins Investigation into Human Rights Violations in Overseas Adoption Cases

On the morning of September 13, a staff member at the Civil Complaints Office of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Jung-gu, Seoul, is reviewing documents submitted by the Denmark Korean Truth-Seeking Group claiming human rights violations. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Past Affairs (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) will launch an investigation into human rights violations that occurred during the overseas adoption process.

On the 8th, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission announced that at the 47th committee meeting held on the 6th, it decided to commence investigations into 34 cases of 'human rights violations during the overseas adoption process.' This marks the 39th investigation initiation.

These cases refer to applicants who were adopted overseas through wrongful means such as abduction, despite having biological parents. During this process, adoption documents recorded them as 'orphans' or listed the identities of other individuals. The 34 applicants were adopted to six countries, including the Netherlands, from the 1960s to around 1990.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission explained the reason for starting the investigation, stating, "National investigation committees of receiving countries such as the Netherlands have confirmed that illegal acts by the state and serious human rights violations against children and biological parents occurred during the past adoption process."

Meanwhile, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has received a total of 18,710 truth-seeking applications as of the 5th. The deadline for truth-seeking applications is until the 9th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.