2026 IKAA Korea Gathering

Oct 19th to 24th | Seoul, Korea

Introduction
A community celebration? A research conference? A film and arts festival? A motherland tour? The IKAA Korea Gathering is all of these and more. It is a one-of-a-kind, week-long experience created by and for Korean adoptees with the support of adoptee allies. The Gathering is a reflection and celebration of decades of adoptee-led community building, leadership, and action. Held every three years in Seoul, it creates meaningful opportunities for adoptees to reconnect with Korea while strengthening bonds across our global community. IKAA is an adoptee and volunteer-led organization, and the Gathering is made possible through the dedication, vision, and commitment of volunteers from around the world.

For Those Beginning and Continuing the Journey
Some attendees are returning to the Korea Gathering, while others may be visiting Korea for the very first time or newly exploring the adoptee community. If this is your first 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.

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.

Stay Updated

We’ll be sharing updates as we go. Sign up for our email newsletter to receive the latest news directly in your inbox. In the meantime, you can check out highlights from the prior International Gatherings and the last Korea Gathering in 2023 (summary, pictures).

Registration

IKAA Korea Gathering | Oct 19th to 24th, 2026 | Seoul, Korea

Early registration is now open through April 30. Reduced registration rates are available during this period, with standard pricing beginning May 1. All registrations are eligible for a full refund, minus processing fees, if canceled on or before July 19. Refund requests submitted after July 19 are generally not eligible for reimbursement. Please reach out to info@ikaa.org for any registration questions or to request registration cancellations.

Financial Support - Korea-based Participants

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. The Korea Gathering is made possible through shared contribution. 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 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.

Request Form

Adult: $270/ticket
Youth (10-17 years old): $120/ticket
Children (Under 10 years old): Free

Register Here

The Gathering Experience

The Korea Gathering is a reflection of the diversity, creativity, and spirit of the global adoptee community. Each Gathering is shaped by the people who attend, the ideas they bring, and the connections that form throughout the week. The following elements highlight some of the ways the Gathering creates space for meaningful connection, exploration, and community-building.

Global and Multigenerational

The Korea Gathering is a truly global and multigenerational reflection of our worldwide adoptee community. Adoptees travel from countries across the globe, representing their local communities while reconnecting in our shared place of origin. Spanning decades of lived experience, from early-generation adoptees to descendants of adoptees (DoKADs) who are now adults themselves, the Korea Gathering creates a rare and powerful space for intergenerational dialogue, mentorship, and collective reflection.

Shape Your Own Experience

We recognize that participants will have a wide range of interests. Our approach is to offer diverse programming that speaks to different interests and curiosities. Think of the Gathering like a buffet, there will be many options to choose from, and you can decide what feels most meaningful to you. There’s no expectation to do everything, and plenty of opportunities to explore something new or unexpected.

Shared Identity & Interest Circles

We’ll be launching Connection Meetups to create space for participants with shared identities or interests to find one another and connect throughout the week. These will include LGBTQ+, 1st time to Korea/Seoul, Artists, K- Entertainment (K-Dramas, Music, Films, etc), Korean Cuisine Foodies, Mixed Race Adoptees, and DoKADs (descendants of Korean adoptees). Like previous years, we will also facilitate family activities for attendees bringing their children to the Gathering, creating opportunities for families to connect and spend time together.

Built by the Community

The Korea Gathering is made possible through the dedication and leadership of volunteers from across our community. Its planning and programming reflect the strong history of community building within the global Korean adoptee diaspora. The Korea Gathering is a meaningful opportunity to come together, recognize our shared journey, and inspire one another as we continue building what comes next.

Gathering Central Hub | Euljiro 3-ga

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.

Programming Preview

The Korea Gathering creates space for participants to explore a wide range of topics connected to the adoptee experience, while also offering opportunities to experience Korea together in community. Below is a preview of the types of programming you can expect. We anticipate the programming to evolve and grow in the coming months.

Presentations, Panels, Interactive Workshops, Film Screening, and Discussion Groups

The Gathering offers opportunities for participants to explore a wide range of topics related to adoption and the adoptee experience through diverse session formats. Past sessions have explored themes such as birth family search, post-reunion experiences and support, empowering adoptee voices, storytelling, navigating relationships with adoptive family members, mentorship, stereotypes and biases, adoptee activism, living in Korea as an adopted Korean, and more.

Research Symposium

Since its inception in 2007, the International Symposium on Korean Adoption Studies (ISKAS) has brought together scholars from around the globe that study Korean transnational adoption, as well as those exploring international adoption in a range of contexts. The research symposium will take place over the course of a full day and is designed to be accessible and engaging for all attendees, not just those from an academic background.

Arts & Performances

Through literary arts, music, performance, and visual art, the Korea Gathering creates space for adoptees to express lived experience, reclaim narrative, and connect across cultures and generations. The creative arts foster healing, visibility, and collective storytelling – amplifying truth telling of our diverse experiences.

Outdoor Activities

This is the first time we’re hosting the Korea Gathering in the fall, allowing us to take advantage of Korea’s beautiful autumn season. Expect more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors – from scenic hikes and city walks to relaxed picnic gatherings along the Han River.

And we’ll once again host an “Amazing Race” style competition/scavenger hunt in Seoul, where groups of participants go to various locations around the city, completing activities and tasks to see who can successfully complete the most in the least amount of time.

Newcomers Activities

In 2019, we introduced a welcome event for newcomers to the IKAA Korea Gathering. This year, we’re expanding these efforts with a virtual pre-event to help newcomers connect ahead of time, along with programming designed to create a friendly and supportive environment throughout the Gathering.

Community Dinner

In Seoul, participants will have access to vibrant and diverse Korean cuisine, from traditional dishes to modern interpretations. Sharing meals creates space for conversation, laughter, and connection. In many ways, gathering around Korean food in Korea becomes both a powerful act of cultural reconnection and community-building at its most genuine and heartfelt.

Closing Celebration

Close out the Gathering with a club lounge style celebration – music, good energy, and a memorable night together!

FAQ Page

Explore frequently asked questions about the Korea Gathering. This will continue to be updated in the coming months. If you have any questions that are not addressed here, please reach out to info@ikaa.org

e: info@ikaa.org