For decades, thousands of South Korean children were adopted into families overseas, including here in Australia.

Many grew up believing they were orphans, only to discover years later that their identities had been falsified, their biological families were still alive and, in some cases, they were victims of human trafficking.

An investigation in South Korea last year exposed widespread fraud and abuse in the country's international adoption industry.

Now, an Australian government inquiry is underway, examining Australia's role, what authorities knew and how these children were allowed to be brought into the country.

Today, Martin McKenzie-Murray on the fake orphans trafficked to Australia, and the fight to uncover the truth about their adoptions.

This episode first aired in May 2025.

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Guest: Associate Editor of the Saturday Paper, Martin McKenzie-Murray

Photo: AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon