Our agency just informed us of some changes happening with Korean adoptions. These changes may slow our progress as well as affect the future of adopting from Korea. Below are just a few of the changes.· There is pending legislation in Korea attempting to stop international adoption. As of today, the legislation has not moved forward.
· There is a big push for domestic adoption in Korea and the government is offering incentives for Korean families to adopt domestically.
· The Korean government has established a system that would now hold children in need of adoption for five months before they are eligible for international adoption. The five month period would be a time where Korean citizens could choose to adopt the child. (Children with known medical issues would be exempt from this system.)
· The birth rate in Korea has decreased significantly and more birth parents are choosing to parent their children. Thus, the number of children eligible for adoption has also decreased.
In spite of the above mentioned changes, our agency believes that those of us who are already in the process will not be affected. Another change has to do with the rising costs the Korean agencies are experiencing and their need to substantially increase fees in order to effectively continue their adoption programs. Because of this, all fees for Korean adoption will be increased by $5,000, effective August 15, 2006 (that means us).
Personally, we think it's wonderful and appropriate that Korea is finally encouraging domestic adoption. We continue to have faith and trust in God's plan for us and as always, we appreciate your prayers for wisdom, perseverance, and of course... patience.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
-Romans 8:28
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