New Changes Coming To NCRC.
NCRC (The National Center for the Rights of the Child) will be relocating, possibly by the end of February 2025!
Please read below this section for NCRC’s NEW ADDRESS Information.
Posted to Paperslip - February 20th, 2025
*IMPORTANT PREFACE FOR
KSS (Korea Social Service) Adoptees:
Dear KSS (Korea Social Service) Adoptees - please DO NOT assume that it will be "easy" to request BOTH a birth family search AND your formerly secret "KOREAN Adoptive Child Study Summary" due to these upcoming changes to NCRC, which we have written about below.
We STILL CANNOT MORE STRONGLY encourage you to make your requests directly to KSS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE - BEFORE the movement of ALL Korean Adoption Agency files to NCRC in July 2025!
KSS will permanently CLOSE Post Adoption Services following the transfer of ALL KSS files to NCRC in July 2025!
It is MUCH better to be SAFE than SORRY!
MAKE YOUR BIRTH FAMILY SEARCH REQUESTS DIRECTLY TO KSS BEFORE THE FILE TRANSFER!
KSS (Korea Social Service) Adoptees ONLY please see:
KSS Adoptees can reach out to paperslipadoptee@gmail.com for FREE birth family search assistance and with any questions!
KSS Adoptees ONLY please be sure to join the private KSS Adoptee ONLY forum KSS Cribmates and please be sure to answer the membership questions!
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Non-KSS Adoptees please see:
The Same Questions That Korean Adoptees Ask All The Time
Thank you!
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It looks like some big changes are coming to NCRC (The National Center for the Rights of the Child) - the Korean Government Agency set to take over ALL Korean Adoption Agency files in July 2025.
It appears this is part of the Korean government’s plan for NCRC restructuring as part of the ratification of The Hague Convention.
One of the big changes includes NCRC’s UPCOMING movement to a NEW ADDRESS.
*NCRC may move to its NEW ADDRESS below by the END OF FEBRUARY 2025:
서울특별시 중구 세종대로22길 12, 4-10층
• Address: 12, Sejong-daero 22-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, 4th-10th floors (*ChatGPT Translation of New NCRC Address from NCRC Press Release)
• Address: 4th-10th floors, 12, Sejong-daero 22-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (Real Korean Translator Translation of New NCRC Address from NCRC Press Release)
>>>Google Maps location for upcoming NEW Address<<<
*Please note that NCRC may move to this NEW ADDRESS by the END OF FEBRUARY 2025!
For NCRC’s CURRENT address (as of February 20th, 2025) please see:
How To Use NCRC For Birth Family Search
See the article below and NCRC Press Release.
*NOTE: What is referred to as “The Child Rights Protection Agency” in the article and press release below is the SAME thing as NCRC (The National Center for the Rights of the Child).
Thanks to Chang Seon Kim for the links.
ARTICLE LINK
Yonhap News Agency
Child Rights Protection Agency (*NCRC) Establishes Adoption Division…"Ensuring Children's Best Interests"
Posted on February 20, 2025, 14:24 (Korea Time)
”In preparation for the implementation of revised adoption laws, the Child Rights Protection Agency announced on the 20th that it will restructure its organization, prioritizing the adoption system.
This reorganization is a step to ensure a smooth transition ahead of the July 19th enactment of the Special Act on Domestic Adoption and the Law on International Adoption.
The Child Rights Protection Agency oversees all practical aspects of domestic and international adoption processes.
Under the new structure, the previously single department handling adoption tasks will be elevated to a headquarters level. The newly established Adoption Division will include three departments: Adoption Practice Support, Adoption Information Disclosure Support, and Family-Type Care Support.
Among these, the Adoption Information Disclosure Support Department will provide a one-stop service for requests regarding adoption information disclosure. A separate Records Management Team will handle the transfer and management of private adoption records from existing adoption organizations to ensure they are treated as public records through thorough investigation and digitization.
Additionally, the agency will integrate the Child Protection Headquarters and the Child Abuse Prevention Headquarters to create a new Child Protection Headquarters, aiming to streamline overlapping functions.
Jeong Ik-joong, the head of the Child Rights Protection Agency, stated, "This reorganization will be a significant step towards fundamentally transforming the public adoption system and establishing a framework that guarantees the best interests of children."
Alongside the organizational restructuring, the Child Rights Protection Agency will also move from its current location near Gwanghwamun to the direction of Seoul City Hall, enhancing accessibility to child welfare-related institutions.”
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NCRC Press Release
Posted on February 20, 2025 (Korea Time)
”The Child Rights Protection Agency (NCRC) Implements Major Organizational Restructuring to Strengthen National Child Protection Responsibilities
In line with the reform of the public adoption system, significant enhancements to adoption-focused organizations and personnel are being pursued. The Child Rights Protection Agency (Director Jeong Ik-jung) announced that it will implement a major organizational restructuring to significantly strengthen its organization and personnel, effective February 24, (2025). This is a strategic measure to prepare for the implementation of the "Special Law on Domestic Adoption" and the "Law on International Adoption," which will take effect on July 19 of this year (2025).
The agency will directly manage the support tasks related to the ratification of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, the operation of the Adoption Policy Committee's Secretariat, and the overall practical procedures for domestic and international adoptions. As a result, the organization, which has been operating as a single department, will be expanded and upgraded to a "1 Headquarters and 3 Departments" system.
With this restructuring, an Adoption Business Headquarters will be established to stabilize the reform of the public adoption system. This headquarters will consist of the "Adoption Practical Support Department," which will oversee the operation of the Adoption Policy Committee's Secretariat and the practical procedures for domestic and international adoptions; the "Adoption Information Disclosure Support Department," which will handle family search support for adoptees and manage adoption records; and the "Family-Type Protection Support Department," which will integrate foster care and adoption policy planning.
In particular, the "Adoption Information Disclosure Support Department" will provide a one-stop service for requests for the disclosure of adoption information. A separate "Records Management Team" will begin thorough investigations, preservation facility operations, and digitization to manage private adoption records from existing adoption organizations as public records.
Through this organizational restructuring, the Child Rights Protection Agency expects to establish a new "Child Protection Headquarters" that integrates child protection systems and child abuse prevention functions, enhancing the efficiency of organizational operations due to the adjustment of overlapping functions among departments.
Meanwhile, along with the restructuring, the agency will relocate near Seoul City Hall by the end of February. This move aims to improve accessibility for child welfare-related organizations and professionals and to further solidify collaborative frameworks with related institutions.
• Address: 12, Sejong-daero 22-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, 4th-10th floors (*ChatGPT Translation of New NCRC Address)
• Address: 4th-10th floors, 12, Sejong-daero 22-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (*Real Korean Translator Translation of New NCRC Address)
Director Jeong Ik-jung stated, "This restructuring is expected to be a significant step toward bringing about fundamental changes to the public adoption system and establishing a framework that ensures the best interests of children." He added, "The Child Rights Protection Agency will continue to do its utmost as a central institution for child policy to create a society where all children can be happy."
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”Strengthening 'National Responsibility' for Adoption... Child Rights Protection Agency To Establish Dedicated Organization and Restructure”
Newsis
Input: February 20, 2025, 2:26 PM Updated: February 20, 2025, 2:26 PM
Reporter: Park Young-joo
Summary
A new headquarters and three divisions system... Establishment of the Adoption Business Headquarters
The agency will move to a location near Seoul City Hall by the end of this month
[Sejong=Newsis] Park Young-joo, reporter = The Child Rights Protection Agency announced on the 20th that it will prioritize strengthening the adoption work system and will carry out an organizational restructuring effective February 24.
This strategic measure aims to prepare for the implementation of the "Special Act on Domestic Adoption" and "Law on International Adoption," which will take effect on July 19, without any delays.
The Child Rights Protection Agency will directly manage tasks related to the ratification of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, operate the secretariat of the Adoption Policy Committee, and oversee both domestic and international adoption procedures as the competent authority for international adoption. Consequently, the previously single department will be upgraded and expanded to a system of one headquarters and three divisions.
As part of this restructuring, the Adoption Business Headquarters will be newly established to stabilize the public adoption system. The Adoption Business Headquarters will consist of the "Adoption Practical Support Division," which will manage the secretariat of the Adoption Policy Committee and oversee domestic and international adoption procedures; the "Adoption Information Disclosure Support Division," responsible for helping adoptees find their families and managing records; and the "Family-type Protection Support Division," which integrates foster care and adoption policy planning.
Notably, the Adoption Information Disclosure Support Division will provide a one-stop service for adoption information disclosure requests. A separate Records Management Team will conduct thorough investigations and manage private adoption records from existing adoption organizations to ensure they are maintained as public records through preservation facilities and digitization.
Additionally, this organizational restructuring will establish a new "Child Protection Headquarters" that integrates the child protection system and child abuse prevention functions, while adjusting overlapping functions among departments. The agency will also move to a new location near Seoul City Hall at the end of this month.
Jeong Ik-jung, the head of the Child Rights Protection Agency, expressed hope that this restructuring would bring about fundamental changes to the public adoption system and establish a framework that best protects the interests of children.
Reporter: Park Young-joo (gogogirl@newsis.com)
Past NCRC Press Releases.
Below are previous press releases by NCRC related to the movement of ALL Korean Adoption Agency files to NCRC in July 2025.
*Please note that what is referred to as “Child Rights Protection Agency” is the SAME thing as NCRC (The National Center for the Rights of the Child).
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NCRC Press Release
”[Press Release] Child Rights Protection Agency Reviews (NCRC) Preparation for Child-Centered Adoption Publicization System Implementation
Author: External Cooperation and Public Relations Team
Date: January 23, 2025
The Child Rights Protection Agency (Director Jeong Ik-jung) held a meeting on January 23, 2025, to review the progress of the adoption publicization system. The Ministry of Health and Welfare also participated to jointly assess the readiness for implementation.
This meeting was convened in anticipation of the smooth enforcement of the "Special Act on Domestic Adoption" and the "Act on International Adoption," scheduled to be implemented on July 19, 2025, as well as the push for ratification of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. The aim is to systematically complete the adoption procedures with enhanced child protection and national responsibility.
Under the revamped adoption publicization system, national and local governments will carry out domestic adoption procedures, while the Ministry of Health and Welfare will act as the central authority for international adoption, following the principles of the Hague Convention. The Child Rights Protection Agency will operate the Adoption Policy Committee as its secretariat and fulfill the role of the authority for international adoption. Additionally, public management of adoption records and information will take place, transferring adoption records to the Child Rights Protection Agency and implementing a systematic and integrated adoption information management system utilizing the adoption management system.
During this meeting, the Child Rights Protection Agency shared the current status and future plans based on the preparation schedules for various tasks regarding the implementation of the reformed adoption system. Other discussions included the formation and operation of subcommittees within the Adoption Policy Committee and budget considerations for the transfer of records and handling of new records.
Director Jeong Ik-jung stated, "To ensure the seamless implementation of the law, we will immediately reflect and address the issues and improvement measures discussed in the meeting, and we will continue our efforts to establish a child-centered public adoption system."
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Paperslip Note: The PD Notebook (MBC) Report which is referenced in the Press Release below is discussed on Paperslip here:
New MBC Video Highlights The Failures of NCRC - The Korean Government Agency Which Takes Over ALL Korean Adoption Files In July 2025.
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NCRC Press Release
”The Child Rights Protection Agency will thoroughly organize adoption records and do our utmost to assist in reunifying adoptees with their families.
Response to the January 14, 2025, PD Notebook (MBC) Report: "The Missing Adoption Records: A Country That Erased Me"
First, we sincerely apologize to the public for any concerns raised by MBC PD Notebook regarding the mismanagement of the "Adoption Records Digitization Project (2013-2022)."
The Child Rights Protection Agency (established July 2019) is currently conducting an internal investigation (July 2024) and a Ministry of Health and Welfare audit (September 2024) related to this issue. We are in the process of recovering overpayments and have referred related parties for investigation (December 2024). We plan to actively cooperate with this investigation to ensure thorough fact-finding, and we will take strict action against relevant institutions and individuals based on the investigation results.
Additionally, in accordance with relevant laws, we will conduct a comprehensive survey of adoption records held by adoption agencies and local governments (second half of 2024), transfer all records (starting July 2025), and carry out data organization. We are committed to ensuring that the adoption publicization, which will be implemented in July 2025, establishes itself as a system of national responsibility that guarantees the best interests of the child.”