Western countries were eager to adopt Korean children, but many adoptees now feel that they were taken without proper consent. An investigation by The Associated Press has uncovered that Western governments often overlooked significant fraud in South Korean adoption practices and, at times, even pressured South Korea to continue the flow of adoptions.

An investigation by The Associated Press has revealed that Western governments overlooked significant fraud in South Korean adoptions, at times even pressuring the country to maintain the flow of children for adoption. The findings highlight a troubling history of complicity and negligence among Western nations regarding the ethical practices surrounding international adoptions from South Korea. The report indicates that many adoptions were marred by deceit, with instances of children being taken from their families under questionable circumstances. Despite these alarming practices, Western countries continued to advocate for the adoption process, prioritizing the demand for children over the integrity of the system. This investigation sheds light on the complexities and moral dilemmas associated with international adoptions, raising questions about the responsibilities of governments and agencies involved in such processes. The findings call for a reevaluation of past practices and a commitment to ensuring ethical standards in future adoptions.