Book Talk

‘The Global Orphan Adoption System: South Korea's Impact on its Origin and Development’

Dr. Kyung-eun Lee is the founder and director of Human Rights Beyond Borders and editor and writer for The Korea Times' special column series 'Dialogues with Adoptees.' On 16 October, she will talk about her book ‘The Global Orphan Adoption System: South Korea's Impact on its Origin and Development’. In her book, Kyung-eun Lee critically examines intercountry adoption practices from South Korea, the most significant supplier of adopted children worldwide. She explains how both the South Korean government and private adoption agencies have systematically, yet legally, created "orphans" on a large scale, resulting in widespread violations of adoptees' rights. Dr. Lee calls on the international community, especially receiving countries, to hold sending nations like South Korea accountable and push for legal reforms that protect an adoptee's right to know their true origins.