[lynnor]

I guess I would't worry about health as much, but maybe more about attachment issues.

Right now, Korean couples seeking to adopt can bring home pretty much a newborn and usually choose healthy infants and more often girls -- been that way for years.

With the longer time in-country, it maybe gives some people a chance to adopt a slightly older infant if they choose (singles adopting may choose this) or lets some initial health issues work out, but I have a feeling like here in the US, newborns would be choice of preference for most. That also has an advantage for people here, though, too. Health issues that are a bit unclear have more time to clarify as to being non-issues or leading to better diagnoses. Most agencies give you a checklist of health issues to indicate what you are open to. You don't have to check anything.

So, I guess my impression is that yes, there will be fewer infants put into the international pool...but it's been the Korean gov't goal since 1988 to eliminate international adoption by 2010 (though maybe a bit later). I don't think health issues will be primary concern, but people should learn about attachment issues and how to care for child to help prevent those problems from occuring (or healing the issues).

As far as wait times, HS going over, etc. What I've heard from some agencies is processes will slow down for a while but won't stop. They are also, however, trying to figure out how to best handle the shift. It could mean agencies rationing referrals/applications a bit more (or not) or just quoting longer wait times. I have a feeling too that due to age issue, many people that would have been in line for Korea are stepping out (heard of a few already). So...this first year/6 mo will be the shake-out period and then the process should get to be more predictable again.