The KSS Board of Directors approved the closure of the KSS Adoption Agency on December 27th, 2025. KSS will continue to operate other businesses likely indefinitely.
Posted to Paperslip on March 12th, 2026.
Thank you to a Paperslip Contributor for the link.
Translation via Google Gemini.
Some BOLDS and blue highlighting ours.
The former K.S.S. Reception Home on the former KSS campus in Seoul. The KSS campus was torn down in 2016 when KSS sold the land for apartment building development. Learn more about the old KSS campus here:
The KSS Receiving Home in Seoul -The Old KSS Campus.
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Commentary From A Paperslip Contributor:
“KSS had effectively already stepped away from adoption activities, so at first glance it may seem like nothing has changed. However, this development is actually quite significant. The decision was made last December 2025, but no one seems to have known about it until now.
KSS stopped facilitating overseas adoptions in 2012, but it continued to hold a government-issued adoption permit in order to provide Post-Adoption Services (PAS) to International Adoptees. Historically, International Adoption in Korea was virtually monopolized by four Korean Adoption Agencies — the smallest of which was KSS.
With the closure of the in-house Adoption Agency under the social welfare corporation, the name KSS (Korea Social Service) will remain, but it will no longer be an organization connected to adoption. Instead, it will operate as a child and youth welfare organization. In effect, this may allow them to distance themselves from the darker legacy of adoption associated with their name — without taking responsibility, and instead shifting the blame entirely onto the Korean Government.
In practical terms, there is no functional difference. Since adoption documents have already been transferred to the NCRC, the existing Post Adoption Services are no longer available. As a result, the Adoption Agency itself will close.
However, in my view, KSS handing over its adoption permit certificate feels like a major face-saving move.”
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The KSS Board of Directors Approved The Closure of the KSS Adoption Agency on December 27th, 2025.
KSS will continue to operate other businesses likely indefinitely.
Please see our Google Gemini translation of the KSS “Board of Directors Meeting Minutes” from December 27th, 2025 below.
Download our backup PDF of the KOREAN KSS Board of Directors Meeting Minutes from December 27th, 2025 here.
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Please note that former KSS adoption files are (at least for now) under the custody of NCRC. KSS and ALL Korean Adoptees who wish to file a Petition for Adoption Information Disclosure and request a birth family search must (for now) go through NCRC. However, ALL former Korean Adoption Agency files, including those of KSS, will likely move to the Seongam Branch of the National Archives, sometime in the first half of 2026. For information about NCRC, please see the DROPDOWN Menu on our homepage, titled: “DROPDOWN: AFTER July 19th, 2025, ALL Birth Family Search Requests Must Be Processed Through NCRC/KAS”.
Please note that KSS operated its Adoption Agency between 1964-2012. KSS tore down its former campus in 2016 and sold the land for real estate development. From presumably 2012-2025, KSS operated one remaining “Post Adoption Services” building on the northwest boundary of its former campus. Since this was the ONLY remaining building of KSS’ campus in Seoul, presumably it is this building which is closing permanently — however, we do not know for sure. We do know that KSS no longer operates Post Adoption Services, having by law transferred all of its files and responsibility to NCRC on July 19th, 2025.
ALL of KSS’ Adoption Agency files were stored at its former Post Adoption Services building until their transfer to NCRC on July 19th, 2025. KSS’ files may be transferred AGAIN in the first half of 2026 to the Seongam Branch of the National Archives. Please monitor our Paperslip Blog for future updates.
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Summary by Google Gemini of the KSS Board of Directors Meeting Minutes from December 27th, 2025, downloaded from KSS’ website, linked above:
“To help you keep track of everything, here is a consolidated summary of the key decisions and details from the Board of Directors meeting held on December 27, 2025.
📋 Executive Summary of Board Meeting
Corporation: Social Welfare Corporation Korea Social Service
1. General Meeting Info
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Quorum: 9 officers attended (8 Directors, 1 Auditor); 4 were absent.
Chairperson: Representative Director Myung-rim Lee.
2. Approved Resolutions
The Board unanimously approved the following items:
Agenda Item
Key Details & Actions
2026 Business Plan
Approved as drafted for Facility I, Facility II, and Corporate accounting.
Adoption Agency Closure
Formal approval for the permanent closure of the agency.
Land Correction
Approval to correct land registration to facilitate compensation for public works projects.
Asset Disposal
Approved the sale/disposal of specific basic assets (land and financial deposits).
New Construction
Approved the construction of one building to house a Regional Welfare Service Center.
Remodeling
Approved the renovation of corporate offices and existing facilities.
Articles of Incorporation
Approved amendments to the corporation's governing documents.
3. Delegated Authority
For almost all technical and administrative tasks (filing for government permits, land registration, and asset disposal), the Board delegated full executive authority to the Representative Director, Myung-rim Lee.
4. Legal Compliance
The meeting followed the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Public Interest Corporations.
Signatures were obtained from all attending directors, and notably, both auditors signed the minutes (as required by law, regardless of their attendance).”
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Page by page translation of the KSS Board of Directors Meeting Minutes from December 27th, 2025.
Relevant info. has been highlighted in BLUE.
Page 1:
“Korea Social Service
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
1. Date and Time of Meeting: December 27, 2025 (Sat), 10:00 – 11:00 2. Location of Meeting: YBM the BIZ Gangnam Education Training Center, Room 402 (48 Teheran-ro 1-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (619-16 Yeoksam-dong))
3. Details of Meeting Notice
Notice Date: December 17, 2025 (Wed)
Notice Recipients: 11 Directors, 2 Auditors
Notice Method: Email, KakaoTalk (Group Messenger)
Purpose of Meeting: > * A. 2026 Business Plan and Budget Proposal
B. Approval for the Closure of the Adoption Agency
C. Resolution on the Change of Basic Assets
D. Approval for the Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation
4. Total Number of Directors: 11 / Total Number of Auditors: 2
5. Attending Officers: 9 in total
Directors (8): Myung-rim Lee (Chairperson), Chan-hee Park, Chae-young Lee, Dong-beon Lim, Young-joo Kim, Eui-soon Kim, Wang-geun Oh, Jeong-seop Shin
Auditor (1): Ki-sam Kim
6. Absent Officers: 4 in total
Directors (3): Eun-jung Lee, Ji-young Baek, Hee-won Song
Auditor (1): Jin-wook Seo
7. Attending Staff: Ji-su Baek (Head of Planning and Management), Sook-hee Kang (Manager), Hye-ni Lee (Section Chief)
8. Meeting Agenda:
A. 2026 Business Plan and Budget Proposal
B. Matter of the Closure of the Adoption Agency
C. Resolution on the Change of Basic Assets
Approval for the correction of land subject to registration correction
Approval for the sale of basic asset land site under eminent domain
[*****] Approval for [redacted/blank]
Approval for the new construction of a building (1 unit) for project purposes
[*****] Approval for [redacted/blank]
Approval for the remodeling of corporate offices and facilities
Approval for the disposal of basic assets deposited in financial institutions
D. Approval for the Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation
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Page 2:
9. Meeting Materials:
2026 Business Plan and Budget (Draft) by Accounting Category
Adoption Agency Permit/License
Official Notice regarding Land Subject to Correction of Registered Matters
[*****]
Details of the Sale of Basic Asset Land under Eminent Domain
[*****]
Details of the New Construction Work for a Building for Project Purposes
[*****]
Details of the Remodeling of Corporate Offices and Facilities
Statement of Basic Asset Financial Products (Deposits) (As of December 26, 2025)
Comparison Table of New vs. Old Provisions for the Amendment of Articles of Incorporation
Statement of Basic Assets
Meeting Contents
1. Opening of the Meeting With Representative Director (Chairperson) Myung-rim Lee presiding, the meeting was declared open as a regular Board of Directors meeting, given that more than the legally required quorum of officers were in attendance.
2. Reading of the Previous Board Meeting Minutes The Chairperson confirmed that there were no objections to the previous meeting minutes through the copies distributed in advance, and then proceeded to the deliberation of the agenda items.
3. Deliberation of Agenda Items and Resolutions The following items were adopted for deliberation:
A. Approval for the 2026 Business Plan and Budget (Draft)
B. Approval for the Closure of the Adoption Agency
C. Resolution on the Change of Basic Assets
D. Approval for the Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation
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Page 3:
This is the full translation of the third page of the meeting minutes, which details the specific resolutions passed.
4. Matters of Resolution
A. 2026 Business Plan and Budget Proposal
The Chairperson introduced the "2026 Business Plan and Budget Proposal" and received reports on the key details for each accounting category (Facility Accounting I, Facility Accounting II, and Corporate Accounting) from the Head of Planning and Management and the Manager. Following a discussion by the officers, the Chairperson asked if there were any objections. Regarding the "2026 Business Plan and Budget Proposal," Director Dong-beon Lim moved for approval, and with the seconding of Director Jeong-seop Shin, all attending directors voted in favor, and the proposal was approved as originally drafted.
B. Approval for the Closure of the Adoption Agency
The Chairperson introduced the "Approval for the Closure of the Adoption Agency" and received a report on the key matters related to the closure from the Head of Planning and Management. Following a discussion by the officers, the Chairperson asked if there were any objections. Regarding the "Approval for the Closure of the Adoption Agency," Director Eui-soon Kim moved for approval, and with the seconding of Director Chan-hee Park, all attending directors voted in favor, and the proposal was approved as originally drafted.
C. Resolution on the Change of Basic Assets
(1) Approval for the Correction of Land Subject to Registration Correction
The Chairperson introduced the "Approval for the Correction of Land Subject to Registration Correction" and the Head of Planning and Management explained the reasons for the proposal, key details, and relevant legal grounds based on the attached materials.
[*****] It was reported that in accordance with the "Act on Acquisition of and Compensation for Land, etc. for Public Works Projects," certain land was identified as requiring registration correction during the process of compulsory acquisition and compensation. Therefore, the registration correction is to be proceeded with to cooperate with the smooth handling of compensation work.
Land Location
[*****]
Registration Correction (Before)
Registration Correction (After)
[*****]
-
-
-
Note in Table: "[*****] Non-disclosure in accordance with Article 9, Paragraph 1, Items 4 through 8 of the Official Information Disclosure Act."
Following a discussion by the officers regarding this matter, the "Approval for the Correction of Land Subject to Registration Correction" was resolved. It was further resolved to delegate full authority for all related tasks—including applying to the competent authorities for the registration correction—to Representative Director Myung-rim Lee. This was moved by Director Chan-hee Park, seconded by Director Wang-geun Oh, and approved by the unanimous consent of all attending directors.
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Page 4:
(2) Approval for the Disposal of Basic Assets
The Chairperson introduced the "Resolution on the Disposal of Basic Assets (Draft)" and the Head of Corporate Planning and Management explained the reasons for the proposal, key details, and relevant legal grounds based on the attached materials.
[*****]
Redacted Text: "Non-disclosure in accordance with Article 9, Paragraph 1, Items 4 through 8 of the Official Information Disclosure Act."
① In accordance with the "Act on Acquisition of and Compensation for Land, etc. for Public Works Projects"
No.
Location of Real Estate
Land Category
Official Area (m2)
① Acquisition Area (m2)
㉢ [*****]
㉣ [*****]
1
2
Subtotal
Note in Table: "[*****] Non-disclosure in accordance with Article 9, Paragraph 1, Items 4 through 8 of the Official Information Disclosure Act."
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Page 5:
[*****] Details
[*****]
Redacted Text: "Non-disclosure in accordance with Article 9, Paragraph 1, Items 4 through 8 of the Official Information Disclosure Act."
Following a discussion by the officers regarding this matter, it was decided to approve the "Resolution on the Disposal of Basic Assets (Draft)" under the condition of [*****].
Full authority for all related tasks, such as applying for permission for the disposal of basic assets to the relevant competent authorities, is delegated to Representative Director Myung-rim Lee [*****]. This was moved by Director Dong-beon Lim, seconded by Director Eui-soon Kim, and approved by the unanimous consent of all attending directors.
(3) Approval for the New Construction of a Building (1 Unit) for Project Purposes
The Chairperson introduced the "Approval for the New Construction of a Building (1 Unit) for Project Purposes (Draft)" and the Head of Corporate Planning and Management explained the reasons for the proposal, key details, and relevant legal grounds based on the attached materials.
It was reported that [*****] intends to establish and operate a Regional Welfare Service Center currently being operated by the corporation.
Following a discussion by the officers regarding this matter, it was decided to approve the "Approval for the New Construction of a Building (1 Unit) for Project Purposes (Draft)." The project will be executed using basic assets deposited in financial institutions []. Furthermore, various tasks such as applying for permission from the competent authorities [].
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Page 6:
This is the full translation of the sixth page of the meeting minutes, covering the remaining agenda items regarding facilities and financial assets.
[...Continued from previous page] It was resolved to delegate full authority for all related tasks, including applying for permission from the competent authorities, to Representative Director Myung-rim Lee. This was moved by Director Chan-hee Park, seconded by Director Jeong-seop Shin, and approved by the unanimous consent of all attending directors.
(4) Approval for [*****]
The Chairperson introduced the "Approval for [*****]" and the Head of Corporate Planning and Management explained the reasons for the proposal, key details, and relevant legal grounds based on the attached materials.
[*****]
Redacted Text: "Non-disclosure in accordance with Article 9, Paragraph 1, Items 4 through 8 of the Official Information Disclosure Act."
It was reported [*****].
Following a discussion by the officers regarding this matter, it was decided to approve the "Approval for []." It will be executed [], and full authority for all related tasks—including applying for permission from the competent authorities—is delegated to Representative Director Myung-rim Lee. This was moved by Director Chae-young Lee, seconded by Director Dong-beon Lim, and approved by the unanimous consent of all attending directors.
(5) Approval for the Remodeling of Corporate Offices and Facilities
The Chairperson introduced the "Approval for the Remodeling of Corporate Offices and Facilities (Draft)" and the Head of Corporate Planning and Management explained the reasons for the proposal, key details, and relevant legal grounds based on the attached materials.
Following a discussion by the officers regarding this matter, it was decided to approve the "Approval for the Remodeling of Corporate Offices and Facilities (Draft)," and full authority for all related tasks was delegated to Representative Director Myung-rim Lee. This was moved by Director Jeong-seop Shin, seconded by Director Eui-soon Kim, and approved by the unanimous consent of all attending directors.
(6) Approval for the Disposal of Basic Assets Deposited in Financial Institutions
The Chairperson introduced the "Approval for the Disposal of Basic Assets Deposited in Financial Institutions." After discussion among the officers, Representative Director Myung-rim Lee [*****] and asked if there were any objections. It was decided to approve the proposal as originally drafted. This was moved by Director Chae-young Lee, seconded by Director Young-joo Kim, and approved by the unanimous consent of all attending directors.
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Page 7:
D. Approval for the Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation
The Chairperson introduced the "Approval for the Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation (Draft)" and reported on the changes regarding [*****]. Following a discussion by the officers, the Chairperson asked if there were any objections to the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation. Director Jeong-seop Shin moved to approve as originally drafted, and with the seconding of Director Wang-geun Oh, all attending officers voted in favor, and the proposal was approved.
Redacted Text: "Non-disclosure in accordance with Article 9, Paragraph 1, Items 4 through 8 of the Official Information Disclosure Act."
5. Adjournment
Upon completion of the deliberation of all agenda items, Director Eui-soon Kim moved to adjourn the meeting, and with the seconding of Director Wang-geun Oh, all attending officers voted in favor. Representative Director Myung-rim Lee declared the meeting adjourned at 11:00.
December 27, 2025
Chairperson: Representative Director Myung-rim Lee [Seal] Recorder: Corporate Manager Sook-hee Kang [Seal]
The attending officers hereby affix their signatures and seals to confirm that the above meeting contents are identical to the matters discussed and resolved at the Board of Directors meeting held on December 27, 2025.
Director: Myung-rim Lee [Seal]
Director: Chan-hee Park [Seal]
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Page 8:
This is the full translation of the final signature page for the meeting minutes.
Director: Chae-young Lee [Seal]
Director: Dong-beon Lim [Seal]
Director: Young-joo Kim [Seal]
Director: Eui-soon Kim [Seal]
Director: Wang-geun Oh [Seal]
Director: Jeong-seop Shin [Seal]
Auditor: Jin-wook Seo [Seal]
Auditor: Ki-sam Kim [Seal]
※ All auditors of the corporation must sign and seal the minutes of the Board of Directors meeting, regardless of their attendance. (Articles 10, Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 2 of the 「Act on the Establishment and Operation of Public Interest Corporation.”