IKAA Korea Gathering FAQ

The IKAA Korea Gathering is primarily organized for adult Korean adoptees (ages 18+). It is open to all adoptees ages 18+, their spouses/partners, family, and friends, and community supporters, but there will be attendee limitations to certain events. For example, the nightly socials will be limited to adults and other sessions may be limited to adoptees only.

The Korea Gathering may not be the right fit for everyone. If you are looking for a structured, fully guided tour experience, or prefer to engage the community in a smaller setting, this may not be the event for you. There are many wonderful ways to visit Korea, and we encourage you to choose the experience that best aligns with your interests and comfort.

If you have any questions about attending the Korea Gathering, please feel free to contact us at info@ikaa.org

A research conference, a film & creatives arts festival, a friends/family reunion, a motherland trip, or a summer camp? The Korea Gathering takes elements from these areas to create a truly unique weeklong experience. During the week, we will highlight topics of interest in the adoptee community and also highlight the decades of adoptee-driven community action led by community builders, researchers, and activists. Many of whom have volunteered countless hours to enable services and support for the community.

No, and we don’t expect you to! Our community is diverse and attendees will have varying interests. The Korea Gathering was designed in the spirit of “choose your own adventure.” Like a buffet, we will be offering many things. During the week, you can choose to participate in what’s meaningful and interesting to you. This can also include spontaneous exploration of Seoul with other adoptees. There’s no expectation to attend every activity – participate in what feels right for you.

The experience can be very exciting and emotional, so we recommend taking the time you need to relax and practice self-care during the weeklong event.

The 2026 IKAA Korea Gathering has newcomers in mind! If this is your first Korea Gathering or your first trip back to Korea, you are not alone. We’ve intentionally designed programming to support newcomers, including virtual pre-Gathering sessions to help attendees connect before arriving in Seoul, dedicated newcomer meet-ups, and the launch of Connection Meetups to help you find your people. IKAA will also provide practical guidance on navigating Seoul, along with recommendations on places to explore and foods to experience, so you can feel prepared, supported, and ready to make the most of your time in Korea.

As much as we love children, IKAA is unfortunately unable to provide childcare during the week. All parents are responsible for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their children during the Korea Gathering.

Registration includes access to all Korea Gathering programming throughout the week and access to special virtual events prior to and after the event in Korea. Some sessions may have access restrictions (adoptee only, adult only, etc.). Attendees cover their own travel expenses and accommodations. There will be at least one community dinner and one community lunch event. Outside of these meals, attendees will be responsible for their own meals and are encouraged to explore Seoul’s incredible food scene. We will be sharing guidance and recommendations for nearby restaurants and foods to eat and coordinate some outings.

Registration fees for the 2026 IKAA Korea Gathering are fully refundable (excluding processing) if a cancellation request is submitted via email by July 19, 2026. Afterwards, registration fees are generally non-refundable. To request a refund, please contact info@ikaa.org

We are offering a limited number of registration subsidies for need-based participants living long-term* in Korea where the registration fee is the primary barrier to participation ($70 registration fee). Requests will be reviewed every two weeks through July 19th, or until available funds are fully allocated.

*This support is intended for those who are currently living in Korea on a long-term basis. Individuals visiting Korea temporarily for tourism, short-term travel, or brief stays are generally not eligible.

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IKAA is run by an all-volunteer team. Given the scale of the event and our current funding, we are unable to offer discounted registration for program or volunteer roles, including the Planning Committee.

This year’s Korea Gathering will feature programming across different areas of Seoul. The area near Euljiro 3-ga station will serve as the meeting point for heading out to meals and traveling to different programs throughout the week. The Euljiro 3-ga subway station has direct access to line 2 and line 3, and is one stop away from transferring to lines 1,4, and 5. It is also within walking distance to the Myeongdong and Jongno areas. These areas are well-known for food, shopping, and markets. Euljiro itself has evolved into an area of arts and nightlife, now known as “Hip-jiro.”

We encourage attendees to book accommodations close to Euljiro 3-ga to foster a stronger sense of community through close proximity with fellow participants. This central hub model provides structured opportunities for connection, making it easier for attendees to meet up and experience Seoul together. Attendees have the flexibility to choose lodging that best fits their needs. This includes different price points, amenities, and accommodation types such as AirBnbs.

We’ve put together a list of hotels near Euljiro 3-ga for reference.