Korean Adoptees Gather in Seoul
The International Korean Adoptee Associations (IKAA)* was established in Europe and the United States in 2004. Its goal is to connect Korean adoptees from around the world and promote their interaction with one another.Currently, the IKAA is composed of around 15,000 members. Recently, many of them came to Korea to take part in a major event.The 2023 IKAA Gathering took place at COEX in Seoul from July 10 to 16. Over 500 Korean adoptees and their family members arrived from 10 countries, including Canada, Denmark, Sweden, and France.At the event, the participants learned about Korean history and culture. They also visited popular places in Seoul, such as Gwangjang Market and Seongsu-dong, and enjoyed Korean traditional foods.During the weeklong event, they had the opportunity to hold many meaningful discussions. They shared their common experiences of living abroad and their perspectives on being adopted. They also talked about how to raise people’s awareness of issues concerning the global adoptee community.The IKAA Gathering is held every three years in Korea, and thousands of adoptees have participated. In addition, smaller gatherings take place regularly in Europe and the United States.
Questions:1. What is the goal of the International Korean Adoptee Associations (IKAA)?2. How many members are there in the IKAA, and where are they from?3. What took place at the 2023 IKAA Gathering in Seoul?4. What kind of discussions did the participants have during the event?5. Why do you think it's important for adoptees from around the world to gather and share their experiences? How might this benefit them and others? How do you think events like the IKAA Gathering can contribute to preserving and promoting cultural identity among adoptees?
