My Official Response to South Korea's Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho
As a victim of this industry, a native-born Korean, I am personally bound to this ongoing crime that continues to be celebrated, promoted, and endorsed around the world. I have chosen to speak truth to power when others have not done so. A truth that this crime has affected generations of millions of families, entire populations and nations of people, what we still fail to name a crime against humanity.
These governments have been partner to this industry for decades, reaping the rewards for themselves at the expense of their own people, the youngest and most vulnerable. Almost 30 years ago, former president Kim Dae Jung had made a very public apology witnessed by 29 victims of this industry who were invited to receive this apology.
“My biggest issue is the ongoing disregard for human lives in all of this. ”
At that time, he spoke of the 150,000 Koreans who were sold overseas. Last year, president Lee Dae Myung gave another apology, this time for the harm to over 200,000 Koreans "exported" across the world. However, his apology was followed by a message that South Korea will continue its partnership with the industry under the Hague Adoption Convention.
Not 3 months later at the end of 2025, news headlines stated South Korea plans to end overseas adoptions. Again however, the fine print read they will continue under certain exceptions. In the meantime, victims continue to focus on obtaining their records, financial compensation, and reunions with their families. The truth is this is still an act of coercive control by the industry that continues to tell us who we are, what we are afforded, and when we may be granted basic human rights, if at all.
My biggest issue is the ongoing disregard for human lives in all of this. From colonization and slavery, to murder, the industry and its agents have demonstrated just how disposable we are. This industry is currently quoted at $236 billion and soaring to a half trillion within the next decade. Governments like South Korea are providing lip service while the crimes continue. They are dragging their feet, denying and delaying payouts, using misdirection and distracting us with more empty apologies and promises.
Crimes against humanity are the most serious offenses in the world. The people have been so brainwashed and pacified not realizing the industry has put price tags on all of them, all of humankind at this point. These crimes must not be allowed to continue. Governments are not suddenly the heroes when they choose to make seemingly favorable statements as this justice minister has.
Traffickers operate the same way, through coercion, deception, empty promises, as well as threats and violence. Enough talk, enough statements and speeches. Pay attention to their actions, or lack of action. Notice the misdirection, the subtle acts of coercive control, and the ever increasing death toll. It's not a coincidence that governments like South Korea have minimized and altogether dismissed those of us who have been disposed of and have disappeared.
Notice there has been virtually no effort to account for all victims. We are the only population no one has a clear and definitive answer to "how many are we?" Kim Dae Jung assumed 150,000 almost 30 years ago, headlines today state 200,000. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission concluded there are 170,000 of us. A difference of 30,000 is a huge margin of error. Just another example of being dehumanized that sends a strong message not every life matters after all. Kill us, enslave us, dispose of us and steer the focus to "how to keep it going without feeling so guilty?"
The minister's words are just that... words. Aimed to quiet any revival of anti-adoption efforts and gain public favor that uses peer pressure to help dissuade any resistance. He admits to child slavery. Yet in any democratic system, there are checks and balances to hold governments accountable when they commit crimes. It's been decades and I'm still waiting for any department of justice to hold their government accountable.
However, the industry is well-protected and able to carry on business as usual. What everyone needs to realize is that as an industry, it is always looking to expand its markets for bigger profits. Truthfully, the human rights violations of commodified disposable people (slaves) is less of a priority than assisting an industry on its way towards a half trillion dollars, especially to a country that has prioritized becoming the 14th largest economy in the world.
It's assumed that kind of rapid growth comes with sacrifices. It's time to send a strong and clear message back to these governments, committing crimes against humanity is wrong and should never be tolerated. People are not for sale. As victims of this industry, we've been asked what is it like to be adopted, but no one asks what is it like to be bought and sold into a trafficking market... a slave market. That thought still seems too much of an inconvenient truth.