Adoption Policy Committee Launched and Holds First Meeting

- Full-fledged operation and review of a child-centered government adoption system -

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, Minister Jeong Eun Kyeong) announced that, following the enforcement of the Special Act on Domestic Adoption on July 19, 2025, the Adoption Policy Committee* has been formally established and held its first meeting on Wednesday, September 17, at 2:00 p.m. at the National Center for the Rights of the Child** in Jung-gu, Seoul.

   * The Adoption Policy Committee, established under Article 12 of the Special Act on Domestic Adoption, deliberates on and decides major policies to promote domestic adoption as well as on individual adoption cases.

  ** The Adoption Policy Committee Secretariat operates under Article 12(7)

The committee is chaired by the Minister of Health and Welfare, with members appointed or commissioned by the Minister from among experts in child welfare, law, and medicine, as well as individuals with extensive policy or field experience in adoption. It consists of 15 members, including representatives recommended by the Minister of the National Court Administration, local governments, and related institutions and organizations.

The committee will deliberate on and decide key policy matters related to adoption, including the formulation and implementation of basic plans to promote domestic adoption and the establishment of standards and curricula for prospective adoptive parent education programs.

In addition, subcommittees have been established to review essential aspects of individual adoption procedures. Composed of academic, legal, and medical experts as well as practitioners, these subcommittees are divided into two groups for domestic and intercountry adoption. Each subcommittee consists of eight members and will review and decide individual cases—including the eligibility of prospective adoptive parents, the suitability of child-parent matching, and the identification and matching of children eligible for intercountry adoption—in line with the principle of the best interests of the child.

At the first meeting, discussions focused on the committee’s operational framework and the status and future plans of the restructured government-led adoption system.

The MOHW stated that it will continue to use the Adoption Policy Committee as the central body for shaping adoption policy, enhancing fairness and transparency in adoption procedures, and building an adoption system that safeguards the best interests of the child.

Minister Jeong Eun Kyeong, Chair of the Adoption Policy Committee, said, “The committee will serve as the driving force behind the government-led adoption system. We will ensure its solid establishment in practice and continue to pursue improvements.”

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