When
the news first broke by a major newspaper in Korea on 4 January 2013, that
the new adoption law was causing abandonment of many babies, and that it was hindering
the adoption of many homeless children, many other media outlets carried the
similar stories on daily basis. In
addition many adoptive parents have filed the complaints on behalf of the
children, and the babies being abandoned at the Baby Box operated by the Rev.
Lee Jong Nak was featured on national news frequently.
A
movement has begun by members of the National Assembly to take this
matter up and review and revise the new adoption law that has resulted in the
abandonment and loss of many babies.
Rep.
Baik Jai Hyun of the Democratic United Party (민주통합당), who serves on the Women and Families Committee
has stated that a revision to the new adoption law that will provide exception
to birthmothers not wanting to register their babies will be made, and that the
records pertaining to family relation will be kept by the agencies and make it
available only if the birthmothers and adoptees agree to open mutually. Rep. Baik will introduce the revision bill at
a National Assembly meeting scheduled in February 2013. Rep Baik stated “There
is definitely a problem when the law that was supposed to protect the children
would bring harm instead.”
Rep.
Kim Myung Yun of the Saenuri Party (새누리당) is also involved with the
revision effort. Rep. Kim has received
the position papers on the revision from MPAK-Korea and also from Holt’s One
Heart adoptive parents support group. He
stated, “The current law is so far removed from the reality that we need to
examine and revise the law accordingly.”
This is a very encouraging news, and hope that the law will truly serve for the best interest of children, whether they be raised by birthmothers, adopted domestically, or internationally.
Can't even begin to express how wonderful this is.
ReplyDeleteCan these same people / media outlets help bring our babies home? While they are rethinking the new law, can they rethink on the adoption process? Kids coming home older isn't better for them.
ReplyDeletePraise the LORD!!!
ReplyDeletethat is wonderful news!!!! I hope more decisions can be made that represents the best interest for these children.
ReplyDeleteGood job, MPAK!!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteHow can I get a copy of the recommended revisions from MPAK and HOLT support group?
ReplyDeleteI'll inquire on this.
DeleteGreat, thanks Steve!
DeleteThank you MPAK and Korean media. Thank you for advocating for children and forever parents. I have a few questions to ask. First, how will this affect the present and future EP approval with MOHW? Will this actually speed up the process in family court? I guess I am wondering with the new changes how long will it take from EP approval to travel. Thanks again Steve for your persistence and support you have given to waiting families. Nice to know we have a voice and you are able to speak for the majority of us to Korea.
ReplyDeleteWe've only just begun the Adoption process. Been praying about the need for this law to change. Praise the Lord for His tender mercy! Praying a positive change is finalized soon!
ReplyDeleteFYI.. new STATE department notice today and notice:
ReplyDeletehttp://adoption.state.gov/content/pdf/fy2012_annual_report.pdf
and
http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_alerts_notices.php?alert_notice_type=notices&alert_notice_file=south_korea_1
I think we can all plan on going the long haul with this process.
Steve- are you hearing anything from Korea? Many agencies have still heard nothing from the courts.
I can not (even I try hard) understand that they in Korea do not think of us waiting parents, as people with feelings, who is waiting too long to get our children home. I can`t undestand that they let us know that we can adopt a child from Korea, but we can not get any answers about when our child can come home. It is terror every day. I would love to write them a letter, who can tell them how it is to live every day in whitout ANY kind of answers. It`s horrible.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you.
Delete