South Korean Adoption

The South Korean adoption program is the oldest organized international adoption program operating in the U.S. After the Korean War, the Korean peninsula was divided into the communist country of North Korea and the country of South Korea. In 1955, international adoption began when Harry Holt was so moved by the situation regarding South Korean orphans that he and his wife Bertha began adopting children from the country. The adoptions created much media attention and brought adoption from South Korea to the forefront and, in turn, international adoption to the U.S. of children from abroad. Holt International, named after the Holt family and founded by them, is now one of the largest international adoption agencies and they operate in many countries. Holt facilitated our China adoption and brought us to Ella so we are forever grateful to them.

Children from South Korea are generally cared for by foster families before being adopted. The adoption is not finalized in South Korea as it is finalized in countries like China while you are still traveling in country with your child. The adoption will be finalized in the court system of the U.S. Adoptive families also do not need to travel to the country when meeting their child. The family is welcome to travel, but the child can also be escorted to the U.S. by a representative of the agency within Korea.