In recent years, the Korean Government has placed increasing emphasis on the children and descendants of Korean Adoptees — with the rather dubious acronym “DoKADs”.
Many Korean Adoptee parents have embraced this focus — understandably, because they love their children.
But Korean Adoptees should recognize that this shift also benefit$ the Korean Government. It's far easier to focus on DoKADs than to address the long-unresolved issues affecting Korean Adoptees, many of whom have waited decades for truth, accountability, and meaningful action.
Don't let the conversation be redirected.
Korean Adoptees must continue advocating for their own rights FIRST.
The global Korean Adoptee community has more public visibility than ever before. This attention should remain focused on the generation still seeking answers, justice, and recognition — not be diverted to a generation that already knows who their parents are.
The Korean Government has become expert at using Adoptees for public relations purposes through its own Adoptee-focused events, which it heavily promotes to advance its broader agenda. One aspect of that agenda, critics argue, has been to shift attention away from the concerns of Korean Adoptees and toward a younger generation that is often more engaged with K-pop and Korean popular culture than with holding the Korean Government accountable for Adoption-related issues.
If the focus shifts away from Adoptees' unresolved issues, the momentum for change may shift with it.
The Korean Government would just love for that to happen.
Don't be DISTRACTED by this obvious attempt to divert attention from Adoptees’ important issues.
We’re not dead yet.
