Purpose of Establishment
KoRoot is a guesthouse for overseas adoptees built with the heart of hospitality. It is a civic group that advocates for the rights and interests of overseas adoptees and seeks a thoughtful perspective regarding the formation and development of adoption discourse in our society.
KoRoot (The House of Korean Root) is a non-profit organization founded in 2003. It supports overseas adoptees born in Korea to visit and resettle in their mother country as well as contributes to the advancement of human rights of adopted people. KoRoot aspires to work together with adopted people to raise society’s awareness of overseas adoption through active interaction between Korean society and adoptees as well as empower adoptees as they build their identities. Furthermore, we aim to contribute to the establishment of birth family centered child rearing in Korean society in solidarity with adoptees, birth families, and unwed mothers.
Our History and Our Achievements
For the past 17 years, more than 4,000 adoptees stayed at the KoRoot GuestHouse. The guest house acted as a community hub for tourists who are visiting their motherland from all over the world. Here at the guest house, there have been many reunions with birth families.
KoRoot has also played a significant role in advocating for adoptees’ rights. KoRoot has represented the adoptee community and worked with overseas adoptees to achieve key milestones. KoRoot worked with TRACK and ASK (adoptee-run organizations) to convince the National Assembly to pass the Amendment to the Act on Special Cases Concerning Adoption. This amendment moved the overseas adoption process from the private sector to the public sector, which allowed Korean children to obtain the IR-3 visa at the time they were sent to the US for adoption. It also opened the door for human rights protection for adopted children. Under the new system, deportation of adoptees became impossible.
Last but not least, KoRoot participated in commemorating the “Single Moms’ Day,” along with the overseas adoptees’ community, birth families, and unwed mothers from 2011 to 2019. It is an unforgettable success in the 17-year history of KoRoot. This “Single Moms’ Day” paved the way for a new discussion in Korean society. Awareness of unwed mothers has changed significantly as a result, and the Korean government finally clarified that “raising a child by his or her family of origin takes priority over adoption.” In line with this perception, the government established Single Parent Day in 2019. KoRoot played a part in driving the Korean society to accept the principle of protecting a family of origin, which is an international standard, as a fundamental value.
KoRoot regards these three achievements as the highlights of its 17-year history and has been deeply grateful to the communities of overseas adoptees, birth families, and unwed mothers. It has been such an honor for us to work together to create a dynamic transformation in the society.
Our Services and Major Projects
– Overseas Adoptees Shelter Project: Operating a special guesthouse for overseas adoptees.
– Motherland Living Support Project: Supporting the needs of overseas adoptees living in Korea or finding their birth families as well as celebrating traditional holidays.
– Human Rights Advocacy Project: Improvement of the system and solidarity activities that advocates the rights of overseas adoptees and birth parents.
– Research Project: Research to improve the perception and institution of overseas adoptions.
– Publishing Project: Publishing for diversification of discourses on overseas adoption
Connect with Us!
Website: (Kor) www.koroot.org | (Eng) www.korootgh.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/koroot.ngo/
Address: 125-10, Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03031, KOREA
