청, 대통령 '입양' 발언 해명 "사전 위탁보호제 염두"

청, Emphasizing "Child's Happiness Is Above All" Regarding President Moon's Remarks... "Not Suggesting Abandonment Under the Special Adoption Act"

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Son Seon-hee] On the 18th, the Blue House clarified that President Moon Jae-in's remarks on 'adoption' made during the New Year's press conference were intended with the 'pre-foster care system' in mind. They added that it does not imply abandonment under the Special Adoption Act.

A senior Blue House official told reporters on the 18th, "The President's remarks were aimed at activating the management and support of adoption," adding, "Specifically, he had the pre-foster care system in mind."

The senior official explained, "It is not about immediately approving adoption, but rather supporting and monitoring the intimacy between the child and prospective parents, as well as the preparation for nurturing and forming new family relationships through pre-foster care for about 5 to 6 months before adoption," and added, "This system monitors the new family from the child's perspective. It is a system for the child."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Blue House, France legally grants adoption approval after a 6-month pre-foster care period followed by evaluation. The UK and Sweden also operate related systems. A senior Blue House official said, "In our country, this has only been done conventionally with the consent of adoptive parents. Now, we are considering legalizing it through the Special Adoption Act," and added, "The President's position is that the happiness of the child is paramount."

The senior official stated, "We need to strengthen post-management of the adoption process and also enhance support for families adopting children. Both must be done," and continued, "There have been reports misunderstanding the President's mention of pre-foster care as abandonment under the Special Adoption Act, but I want to make it clear that it is not about abandoning children at all."

Earlier, President Moon explained solutions to the Jeong-in case, where a child died due to abuse, during the press conference, saying, "Even in cases of adoption, it is necessary to better investigate whether prospective adoptive parents can adequately handle adoption beforehand."

President Moon explained, "In the early stages, adoptive families should be visited multiple times to check if the child is adapting well. Since adoptive parents' feelings can change, within a certain period, adoption can be canceled again, or if the desire to adopt remains strong but the child and parents do not match, the adopted child can be changed. Various methods are needed to protect adopted children while not discouraging but rather activating adoption itself."

President Moon said, "Since bills have been submitted to the National Assembly, we will consult with the Assembly to promptly prepare necessary measures."