South Korea anyone?

jschmidt · 07-22-2003, 08:04 PM

I just wanted to know if anyone has adopted from South Korea or known someone who has, we wanted to adopt originally from Guatemala but after all of the law changes/confusion we're looking into Korea instead. Can anyone help? Thanks

Julie

Sari · 07-22-2003, 08:30 PM

I have not adopted from Korea, but depending on what agency you use, you might have to fall under certain weight limits - I don't know if that is an issue for you or not. They say it is a country requirement, but not all agencies have the weight limit or the same weight limits as other agencies.

Calantha · 07-22-2003, 09:13 PM

If I understand it correctly (I researched it some when another member here was totally devastated by the weight rules) you SHOULD be able to get a letter from your doctor stating that your weight is not a major health problem for you and that you are capable of caring for a child and expected to live for a reasonable length of time and that will get you out of the weight requirement. I think that's the part that varies between agencies. Some of the accept these letters, others do not.
Best of luck to you!

jschmidt · 07-23-2003, 12:44 AM

Thanks both of you for replying, luckily I don't have to worry about the weight issue, but I did read that you can't weigh more than 130% of your ideal weight according to these charts that are posted. Kind of strange. Thanks for the advice

Julie

Sari · 07-23-2003, 12:47 AM

I have also always heard how the children are in foster homes as opposed to "institutions" are are better developed and used to loving "parent" types.

Also, I know that Vietnam has closed right now, but how stable is Korea going to be with all the North Korea trouble right now?

ScrapbookChick · 07-23-2003, 10:41 AM

Hi Julie,

I wish you good luck with your adoption process, wherever it leads. I'm actually living in Seoul and I've grown to love the Korean people and their customs.

My DH and I decided on Guatemala for adoption, but it was neck and neck with Korea for a while for us. (Though I never dreamed at the time I'd live here eventually.) Most agencies in the US use two approved children's placing agencies here; Holt and Eastern Welfare Society. The babies are in foster homes, and I can tell you first hand, the Koreans LOVE, LOVE, LOVE babies. I never get anywhere very fast with my kids because of everyone stopping us, from young men to elderly couples, and they fuss and pinch my babies' cheeks. And unlike most American's who see my double stroller and say, "Uh-oh, double trouble", Koreans believe one boy one girl child are very good luck and tell me how blessed I am. Which I thank them for and agree that I am!

As far as North Korea; I'm no diplomacy expert, but living here for eight months has been an eye opener as to how people here in Korea have learned to live each day the last 50 years knowing there is a country 37 miles away that would like to invade them. I read the English translations each day of Seoul's major newspapers, and only once in the last two weeks has there been any mention of N. Korea in the headlines. It's in the back of people's minds, but they don't dwell on it, or pay too much attention to hype in the Western media. I still feel safe enough here to stay here indefinately with my precious babies. If you do have concerns about the program closing I would ask the agency their thoughts on it as well. Like I said, I'm just the foriegn lady with the "twins".

HLLB · 07-24-2003, 05:10 PM

I researched Korea as well. Basically, there are 4 agencies in Korea that all agencies must associate with. 2 of these agencies have the weight requirement and 2 do not. For an agency that doesn't have the weight requirement, try Holt International (they are actually 1 of the 4 agencies in Korea) or Bethany Christian services. However, the Korean programs are very popular and many have long waiting lists (ain't that always the story!).