The Truth and Reconciliation Commission conducted a nearly three-year investigation into complaints from 367 adoptees in Europe, the United States, and Australia, confirming human rights violations in 56 cases. However, limitations prevented the commission from establishing the government’s complicity more strongly, leading to criticism from some adoptees and investigators.

Most Korean adoptees were registered as abandoned orphans, making it difficult to trace their roots, despite having identifiable relatives. The government saw foreign adoptions as a cheaper alternative to building a social welfare system for needy children, resulting in large-scale overseas placements facilitated by private adoption agencies with little oversight.

The commission recommended that the South Korean government issue an official apology for the problems identified, investigate citizenship gaps among adoptees sent to the United States, and assist those without citizenship. South Korea’s past adoptions, which have drawn international attention, were driven by military leaders focused on economic growth and reducing welfare burdens, leading to thousands of children being separated from their biological families. Recent reforms have led to a decline in overseas placements of South Korean children.