UPDATE: Feb. 24th, 2024:
The S. Korean Government NOW acknowledges that "MB" passport numbers were given to Korean Adoptees AND to other Koreans emigrating overseas.
However, the S. Korean government still says it “does not know” what "MB" means, though it guesses that "M" may stand for "Multiple". The Korean government did not provide many more details.
ALL Korean Adoptees For Whom We Have Passport Data With Korean Passports / Travel Certificates Issued Between 1965-1974 Have “MB” Passport Numbers.
Note:
*While this website is mostly geared toward Adoptees who were adopted through the Korean Adoption Agency Korea Social Service (KSS), there is also information here which is relevant to ALL Korean Adoptees, regardless of their Korean Adoption Agency. This page is relevant to ALL Korean Adoptees.
UPDATE: Feb. 24th, 2024:
The S. Korean Government NOW acknowledges that "MB" passport numbers were given to Korean Adoptees AND to other Koreans emigrating overseas.
However, the S. Korean government still says it “does not know” what "MB" means, though it guesses that "M" may stand for "Multiple". The Korean government did not provide many more details.
ALL Korean Adoptees For Whom We Have Passport Data With Korean Passports / Travel Certificates Issued Between 1965-1974 Have “MB” Passport Numbers.
*Please note that we have NOT yet proved that ONLY Korean Adoptees were receiving MB passport numbers between 1965-1974. There may have been OTHER Non-Adoptee Korean Nationals who received MB passport numbers as well. We need to find more examples of these Non-Adoptee Korean groups in order to be able to rule them out.
Please see “Korea’s Evolving Travel Document System” for more information. Refresh the page if you have previously visited.
ALL Korean Adoptees For Whom We Have Passport Data With Korean Passports / Travel Certificates Issued Between 1965-1974 Have “MB” Passport Numbers.
*Please note that we have NOT yet proved that ONLY Korean Adoptees were receiving MB passport numbers between 1965-1974. There may have been OTHER Non-Adoptee Korean Nationals who received MB passport numbers as well. We need to find more examples of these Non-Adoptee Korean groups in order to be able to rule them out.
Please see “Korea’s Evolving Travel Document System” for more information. Refresh the page if you have previously visited.