Foreign Adoption Increases Again in 11 Years
Foreign adoption through the Holt Children's Services has been increasing again from last year after the IMF bailout in November 1997.It is the first rise since 1987 when 7,900 domestic babies were adopted by foreigners.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on May 4, domestic adoption in 1998 reached 1,426 babies while foreign adoption marked 2,249 kids, 3,675 in total.
The government has dropped the number of foreign adoption by 3 percent every year from 1987, but tentatively lifted the limit due to tough economic conditions.
Illegitimate children also increased to 9,292 in 1998, 38 percent more than those of 1997. The increase is attributed to young mothers inability to pay abortion fees.
Hwashik Bong : trojans@joongang.co.kr
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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