(C) ABC News

SEOUL — South Korea is officially moving to shed its long-standing and painful stigma as a "baby exporting nation." The South Korean government announced on December 26 that it will phased out international adoptions entirely by 2029, marking the first time in 70 years that the country has declared a formal end to the practice.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare unveiled the "3rd Basic Plan for Child Policy (2025–2029)," a comprehensive roadmap designed to ensure that children in need of protection are cared for within the country. This decision aligns with the spirit of the Hague Adoption Convention, which South Korea joined in 1995, emphasizing that domestic solutions should take precedence over international ones.

From Thousands to Zero
The scale of overseas adoption has seen a dramatic decline over the past two decades. In 2005, nearly 2,000 Korean children were sent abroad. By 2020, that number dropped to 232, and as of November 2024, only 24 children were adopted internationally. The government aims to bring this number down to "zero" by 2029 through a step-by-step termination process.

"Moving forward, overseas adoption will only be pursued in extremely exceptional circumstances," said Lee Sran, the First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare. "With the transition to a 'Public Adoption System' last July, where the government—rather than private agencies—manages the entire process, we will focus on revitalizing domestic adoption and providing the necessary support for children to grow up within our borders."

A Shift to State Responsibility
For seven decades, South Korea sent approximately 170,000 children overseas, largely due to social stigma surrounding unwed mothers and a lack of domestic support systems. However, the introduction of the Public Adoption System this summer shifted the responsibility of child safety and human rights directly to the state. Under this new framework, the state oversees every step, from determining the necessity of adoption to vetting adoptive parents.

While the primary goal is a complete halt, the government noted that in rare cases where domestic protection is deemed impossible by experts, international adoption may still be considered, but only after rigorous government deliberation.

Expanding Child Welfare Support
To support this transition and tackle the low birth rate, the government also announced enhancements to the Child Allowance system. The eligibility age for receiving the allowance will be raised by one year every year until 2030. Additionally, the plan includes providing supplemental allowances for children residing in non-metropolitan areas and regions facing severe population decline, ensuring a more robust social safety net for all families.