Mar 14 • 23:31 UTC 🇦🇺 Australia ABC News AU

Trafficked babies, fake names — the dark past facing some overseas adoptees

Inter-country adoptees in Australia are urging the federal government to expand an inquiry into corrupt South Korean adoption practices that affected their lives.

Inter-country adoptees in Australia are calling on the federal government to widen its inquiry into a South Korean adoption program that has been revealed to have a history of corruption, fraud, and trafficking. Many adoptees who came to Australia since the 1970s have discovered that the narratives surrounding their origins and biological parents were often misleading or completely fabricated. This has raised serious concerns regarding the legitimacy of adoption practices conducted during that period and the impact these revelations have on the lives of those adopted.

One notable case is that of Kimbra Butterworth, who learned as an adult that she was a victim of a notorious Taiwanese baby smuggling operation. Her story highlights the challenges faced by many adoptees who find out that their adoption papers contain false information. Butterworth's journey to uncover the truth was aided by relentless efforts from family members and media investigations, demonstrating the necessity for transparency and accountability in inter-country adoptions. Without these efforts, many adoptees might remain in the dark about their true heritage.

The call for an expanded inquiry is not just about addressing individual cases but also about acknowledging the broader implications of the historical injustices related to adoption practices. Adoptees are advocating for their stories to be validated and for systemic changes in the way adoptions are handled, particularly regarding the verification of information provided about biological families. The push for change reflects a growing awareness of the complexities surrounding inter-country adoption and the need for policies that protect the rights and identities of adoptees.

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