Korea’s annual 3-week parliamentary audit allows for a comprehensive review of policy, budgets and is an opportunity for accountability. Government officials are called before members of parliament and are questioned over their efforts over the previous year.

Key Points from the National Audit

Posted to the EARS Instagram on November 23, 2025.

• Overview
  • On October 28, 2025, The National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC) underwent scrutiny at the National Assembly Audit.
  • The President of the NCRC, Chung Ick-Joong, apologized multiple times.
  • With EARS raising the alarm, 10 out of the 23 MPs of the Health and Welfare Committee asked questions about adoption records.
• National Archives Transfer
  • NCRC is looking to move files to the National Archive Seongnam branch WITHOUT consulting adoptee stakeholders.
  • NCRC is asking for additional budget for re-transferring and disinfecting files.
  • Disinfecting alone will cost up to ~500 million won.
  • The NCRC was unable to clarify how the transfer will affect post-adoption services.
• Temporary Storage Facility Issues
  • Lease and management fees for the storage facility come out to ~111.3 million won and management fees reach ~4.28 million won.
  • Director Chung Ick-Joong did not know what needed to be done to terminate the 5-year contract period for the temporary storage facility.

Press Coverage

• [Yonhap News] ““Deficits everywhere”… Director of the Child Rights Protection Agency apologizes for criticism of child records”
• [Yonhap News] “Amid repeated criticism over child records, head of Children’s Rights Protection Agency apologizes: “Deeply sorry””
• [Newstapa] “National Center for the Rights of the Child Loses External Hard Drive Containing Missing Children’s Personal Information”
• [ZD Net Korea] “National Center for the Rights of the Child: Did it ignore the Ministry of Welfare’s directive to discipline employees for lax oversight of adoption record digitization?”
• [Newspim] “[2025 National Assembly Audit] Ruling Party Criticizes Accessibility of Temporary Adoption Records Storage Facility… Also ‘Concerned’ About Budget Losses”
• [AbleNews] “The door to adoption records remains firmly shut for disabled adoptees, despite empty promises of ‘state responsibility’”
• [News1] Adoption records tightly sealed for adoptees with disabilities… Urgent need to guarantee access rights
• [Gyeonghan Newspaper] [Exclusive] “Over 38,000 Cases of ‘Abandoned Children’s Family Registers’ Without Biological Parent Information Officially Confirmed···“Government Must Put Effort in Support Family Reunification””
• [Hanguk Ilbo] [Exclusive] ““Umbilical cord still attached”… Personal Information Protection Commission launches investigation into personal information leak at NCRC””