Global Overseas Adoptees' Link Explained

Global Overseas Adoptees' Link (G.O.A.'L) is an organization in Seoul, South Korea, for adoptees.

History

The first major task of GOAL was to lobby for the inclusion of adoptees in the Overseas Koreans Act. This act was passed in 1999 and allowed adoptees residency on a F-4 visa. The visa gives every adoptee the right to reside and work in Korea for three years at a time and can be renewed.^[1]

On 29 December 2010, GOAL opened its first overseas branch, GOAL USA, in Santa Barbara.^[2]

Main Services

• Birth Family Search in cooperation with adoption agencies, Korean and international media (KBS, YTN, National Assembly TV etc.)
• Annual conference^{[3] [4]}
• Translation, interpretation
• Korean language education and scholarships
• General support including F-4 visa^[5]
• Motherland tours ^[6]

Activities

GOAL also ran the Dual Citizenship Campaign^[7] that granted adoptees Korean nationality. It is also advocating adoptees' rights within Korea.^[8]

Notes and References

1. News: (504) The Face of Adoption. 2008-10-02. The Korea Times. 2018-03-26. en.
2. News: Korean Adoptees welcome Arrival of G.O.A.'L. Lopez. Susannah. 3 January 2011. The Santa Barbara Independent. 4 September 2020.
3. News: Korean adoptees meet birthparents at homecoming. Lim. Yun Suk. 20 August 2008. channelnewsasia.com. 2 March 2009. 4 December 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081204114103/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/eastasia/view/369774/1/.html. dead.
4. News: Adoptee support group celebrates decade of work. Moon. Gwang Lip. 6 August 2008. Korea JoongAng Daily. 2 March 2009.
5. News: Moon . Gwang-lip . Fair provides tips for foreigners on living in Korea . . 2007-10-17 .
6. News: Das siebte Kind. Schulz. Sandra. 21 February 2009. Der Spiegel. de. 2 March 2009.
7. News: Korean adoptees start campaign for dual citizenship. Song. Sang-ho. 16 May 2008. The Korea Herald. 2 March 2009.
8. News: A Casualty of Korea's Adoption Laws. Sheppard. Nicole. February 2008. KoreaAm Journal. 2 March 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081203134917/http://www.koreamjournal.com/Magazine/index.php/kj/2008/february/point_of_view/a_casualty_of_korea_s_adoption_laws. 3 December 2008. dmy-all.