I have heard absolutely nothing regarding the status of adoption from this country. For the past year, it has been documented that South Korea was going to phase out their adoption program in the calendar year of 2012. Now that the infamous year has arrived, the lines of communication have gone down. I can find no affirmation of a shut-down this year. I am also finding very little in regard to the many people who are in the process of adoption from this country and what their status is. In 2011, over 700 adoption cases were still processed. That is a large number to just suddenly drop to 0. I believe that there will be a drop-ff of numbers as the cases that were started before South Korea began to end their intercountry adoption program are processed. So if you are in the middle of an adoption from this country, your wait might be drawing to a close.
I have focused primarily on the positives of the ending of this adoption relationship because there is nothing in our power to do about it. Yet, I know that this country is still struggling. It has the highest ratio of suicides in the whole world. That is indicative of deep issues and strikes fear in my heart for the children of this nation. I know that there is a high number of documented depression cases and that is what the suicide rate is blame predominately on. All of this to say, please don’t forget about the orphans of this country. Even if the adoption doors close to other countries, there will be many children still in their orphanages. Continue to keep these children in your thoughts and prayers.
If you desire to adopt from Korea, the door is closing on that opportunity. I have heard from people who refute that but have found no evidence suggesting that they will remain open. I believe that a healthy child adoption is out of reach at this point because the waiting period is over 3 years but there are many special needs children that could be available for adoption. At this point, if you are serious about an adoption from this country, calling a reputable agency would be a wise move. They would be able to offer in-depth information and point you in the correct direction.
Korea is not party to the Hague Convention and do not hold to its statutes. They are phasing out their adoption program this year.
~Angie
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