What did First Lady Kim Hea Kyung say to overseas Korean adoptees in Seoul?

Kim Hea Kyung said she hoped overseas Korean adoptees would grow closer to South Korea, form valuable new connections and retain lasting memories of the country. She said Korea could be viewed as a foreign country, a longed-for homeland or a place to search for roots and identity.

Why did Tommy Gentzel call for reconciliation between Korean adoptees and South Korea?

Tommy Gentzel said the relationship has unlimited potential, but that adoptees’ suffering must first be recognized and reconciliation efforts undertaken. He called on South Korea and relevant institutions to take action toward that goal.

How can Korean adoptees receive help finding their biological families?

Gentzel urged South Korea and relevant institutions to provide resources and assistance for biological-family searches, which may require DNA tests. Korea Times has reported cases in which DNA matching helped Korean adoptees confirm relationships with birth family members.

First lady Kim says hopes Korean adoptees will grow closer to homeland

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Summary

First lady Kim Hea Kyung expressed hope Monday that overseas Korean adoptees would grow closer to South Korea and retain good memories of their motherland. Speaking at the opening of an International Korean Adoptee Associations gathering in Seoul, she said adoptees may view Korea as a foreign country, homeland or place to explore their roots and identity. IKAA President Tommy Gentzel called for recognition of adoptees’ suffering, reconciliation and assistance with biological-family searches.

Key Facts

The Seoul gathering brought together Korean adoptees from around the world to connect and build a community.
Kim encouraged visiting adoptees to experience South Korea’s autumn, cuisine and other attractions.
Tommy Gentzel said relations between Korean adoptees and South Korea have unlimited potential.
Gentzel urged South Korea and relevant institutions to provide resources and assistance, including DNA tests that may help adoptees find their biological families.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 19, 2026 2:36 pm KST

First lady Kim Hea Kyung, delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of a gathering in Seoul of the International Korean Adoptee Associations, Monday. Joint Press Corps

First lady Kim Hea Kyung on Monday expressed hope that Koreans adopted overseas would grow closer to their motherland and keep good memories of it.

The first lady made the remarks in her speech at the opening ceremony of a Seoul gathering of the International Korean Adoptee Associations (IKAA), which brought together Korean adoptees from around the world to connect and build a community.

"South Korea may be viewed differently by each of you. To some, it may be a foreign country. To others it may be a homeland long longed for," the first lady said. "It may also be a place you are visiting with many questions in search of your roots and identity."

"No matter how you came, I hope that you can grow closer to the homeland and create valuable new connections on this occasion," Kim added, expressing hope that the visiting adoptees would also experience the country's autumn, cuisine and other attractions.

"I wish that the vibe, allure and beauty of the motherland will stay in your memories for a long time."

IKAA President Tommy Gentzel stressed that relations between Korean adoptees and South Korea have unlimited potential.

For that potential to blossom, the sufferings of Korean adoptees should be recognized, while actions toward reconciliation should also be taken, Gentzel said.

The head of the IKAA called on South Korea and relevant institutions to take action toward that goal, urging them to provide the necessary resources and assistance to help adoptees find their biological families, which may require taking DNA tests.

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