Korea Ranks 3rd Most Popular Destination for Adoption to U.S.

Even as South Korea continues to evolve, the nation still ranks third in the most popular destination for the adoption of orphans to the U.S. 

According to the Korea Adoption Services, about 5.6% of the foreign children adopted by families in the U.S. came from Korea. The second highest ranking came from Ethiopia and the first highest ranking came from China. 

A report from Chosun indicates that 7.5 of every 10 Korean children adopted by foreign families end up in the U.S. The report also adds that while birthrates are low in Korea, many Korean babies are adopted because of the stigma associated with children born out of wedlock. About 95% of children sent abroad for adoption are born out of wedlock. 

"We need to overcome the stigma against unmarried mothers and provide support so they can raise their children on their own," a staff from the Korea Adoption Services said. 

Adoption agencies are also attempting to extend the search for adopting families in Korea so as not to send children abroad too soon. The search for families in Korea is usually 5 months to one year. But experts suggest that the search should be for up to three years.