New Policy Has Been Passed

In an efforts to decrease adoption internationally in Korea, the government is working to increase adoption with-in the country. They have been actively doing so by decreasing the amount a children being allowed to be adopted outside the country each year. They are now going to allow singles, and older couples to adopt within the country. I have mixed feelings about this, considering that many children are given up for adoption because the mother is unwed. The social pressures are so strong on these women that they are forced by their family to either abort their pregnancy or to give their baby up for adoption.

The other major policy change that will become effective on January 1, 2007 is that the babies will not be able to be considered for international adoption until they are 6 months old. The Korean government believes that this will help increase in country adoption, but again we have a huge problem with this as well. Last year over 2000 "healthy" babies were adopted from Korea internationally. That is not taking into count the other 1700+ babies that had correctable and non-correctable medical, physical or developmental delays, that were adopted by international families.

Our thoughts are is that Korea is not going to have over 5000 families/singles applying in 2007 to adopt in country so they can eliminate the number of children being adopted out of country. We understand their reasons, and we are happy that they are making great strides in educating their people on adoption. But you're not going to erase many centuries of prejudice and tradition just by giving Korean families some extra 'won' (Korean currency) to raise an adopted child. To us we feel they are not putting these babies first. Why should these children have to wait 6 months longer to find a family when there are already over 5000 families applying to adopt these babies in the US, Canada, Europe and in Australia. Not saying that none of these babies should be adopted within Korea, but don't make these babies wait any longer than they need to while Korea is still recruiting and educating their own people.

Our agency Holt, as well as other agencies are currently trying to get this wait time reduced, and to exempt those who do have special needs from this new waiting period. The agencies are really advocating on what is in the best interest of these children, and hoping that the Korean government will ease on some of the measures they will put in to action in 2007.

What our agency is trying to understand is if these new rules will apply to those children who will be born in 2006 and who are admitted to Holt's care in 2006, but will not have all the legal paperwork done until 2007 for them to travel to their new homes. Holt believes the new rules will not apply to these children, so therefore they feel that the families (like us) who awaiting referrals for the end part of 2006 through Jan. 2007, will receive their referrals in the usual time frame, because the babies will be in their care prior to the new policy changes. So at this point Holt feels confident that our process will unlikely be effected by these new rules.

Again there are no guarantees, but we are going to have faith in what we've been told, and just trust in God that He is in control. My wonderful friend Francey told me on Sunday she is praying that we'll have peace in whatever is put in front of us. Truly we do feel that peace, and we feel your prayers. We never knew how much this process would stretch our faith and teach us on how to truly wait on the Lord.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:11-13