In Belgium, adoptive parents must be at least 25-years old and 15 years older than the adopted child. Only single people or married couples may adopt; in the case of unmarried couples, only one of the parents can be legally responsible for the adopted child.
Abandoned or orphaned children looking for homes face two hurdles in South Korea—a Confucian society that values strong family ties and sees them as "different blood", and a government that actively discourages adoptions by foreigners.
Outdated regulations, "demand" exceeding the "supply" and other barriers keep people wanting to adopt a child frustrated and waiting for years.
Barriers to easy adoption protect children and minimize unsuitable adoptions.