Since the Korean War, over 200,000 international adoptions have taken place from Korea, a practice that still continues today. As early generations of Korean adoptees grew up, many lacked exposure to Korean culture and community. In the late 1980s, older adoptees began organizing locally, forming volunteer-led groups to connect with one another and build a sense of belonging. In 2004, the International Korean Adoptee Associations (IKAA) was established to connect these regional organizations, foster collaboration, and create a structured network capable of producing large-scale events and programs.
More than 20 years after its formation, the IKAA network continues to expand, fostering community connections across North America, Europe, and Australia.