Anyang Mayor Designated as Guardian for Child Available for Adoption

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Yu Je-sung] Anyang City announced on December 1st that Mayor Choi Dae-ho has been designated as the guardian of an infant whose adoption proceedings are underway, as the child began receiving care at an adoption foster family within the city from November 28th.

This is a measure following the amendment and implementation of the "Special Act on Domestic Adoption" on July 19th, which was centered on establishing a public adoption system where the state and local governments take responsibility for adoption. The act stipulates that the guardian of a child available for adoption shall be the head of the local government that has jurisdiction over the child's residence.

This guardian designation is the first case in Anyang City following the amendment of the special act, and is significant in that the local government's responsibility-based adoption system, including protection roles for adopted children, begins full-scale operation.

Mayor Choi Dae-ho stated, "This guardianship designation is an important starting point for the public adoption system to be realized in practice," and added, "I will do my utmost to carefully protect the rights and interests of adopted children and ensure they grow up safely."