First Adoption Day After Transition to Public System... 'Promised National Responsibility, But Children's 'Golden Time' is Being Depleted'

The recent shift to a public adoption system in South Korea, intended to streamline the process and increase the number of children finding permanent homes, is facing significant challenges. Prospective adoptive parents, like Kim Ji-won, who applied shortly after the system's launch in July last year, are now facing lengthy delays, with some still awaiting eligibility reviews months later. This situation contradicts the government's promise to expedite adoptions, with initial timelines suggesting a completion within a year, a goal that now seems increasingly distant for many.

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There was an expectation that more children would find homes after the transition to the public adoption system. However, I applied for adoption right after the public system transition last July, and I'm still waiting for an eligibility review.

The primary issue appears to be a severe bottleneck in the application process. A combination of an overwhelming influx of applications immediately following the system's overhaul and inadequate preparation has resulted in a substantial backlog. Data reveals that out of 691 applications received by the relevant agency, a staggering 664 are currently awaiting processing, with the vast majority (91%) stuck in the pre-matching review stage. This critical phase, which legally connects prospective parents with a child, is where most applicants find themselves stalled, raising concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of the new public system.

Compounding these procedural delays is a perceived lack of communication and coordination. Prospective parents report minimal pre-application counseling, which could have helped clarify adoption motivations and assess parenting capabilities earlier in the process. This absence of guidance is reportedly leading to issues surfacing later, such as unexpected demands for parents to broaden their criteria regarding a child's age or health, fueling concerns about 'forced matching.' The extended waiting periods also mean children spend more time in institutional care, potentially missing the crucial attachment-forming period within their first year of life—a 'golden time' that adoption advocates fear is being squandered.

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It seems difficult to meet a child within a year (as of the application date).

In response to these mounting concerns, adoption advocacy groups have staged protests, demanding accountability for the system's shortcomings. They are calling for an apology, a guarantee of the 12-month 'golden time' for infants, and greater transparency in the agency's operations. While the Ministry of Health and Welfare has acknowledged the issues and pledged to increase staffing and reallocate resources to address the backlog, the path forward remains uncertain. The success of this public adoption system hinges on its ability to overcome these initial hurdles and ensure that children do not continue to lose precious time while navigating a system designed to bring them stability and love.

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The current public adoption system is creating bottlenecks at every administrative step, depleting children's golden time.