Korea's 'Baby box': one baby saved, one less life lost

"We could have had a dead baby out in front of our door if we hadn’t been there on time. It was a mortifying thought and that’s why we created the baby box," said church pastor Lee Jong-rak of the Joosarang Community Church, which operates the hatch.
The mothers who leave their babies at this baby box are mostly single mother are in their teens. There are also children born from affairs, incest, rape, or between illegal immigrant parents, according to the church.
"Without state protection, the mothers end up abandoning the babies. The onus is on the government. It is also the responsibility of our policies, our legal system and all of us as adults. This is the fault of our society and our cultural practices. We shouldn’t be pinning the blame on these children and casting stones at them." Lee says.
#babybox #babyhatch
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Interviewed by Lee Min-young
Translation by Yu Joon-hee
Video filmed by Kim Kang-min
Cast: Han Chung-ha

[@rachelganthony]

I love that he praises the mothers to the children. “Your mother is beautiful and came here to make sure you would be safe”. He is an incredible man who has a heart for babies and children. He was born for that.

[@TrashyLilPanda]

As an adoptee from south Korea, thank you Pastor Lee. I may not have been one of your box babies but thank you for giving other babies a chance at life. Such a beautiful ministry of God's love for All of his children.

[@JoseFigueroa-iz2on]

I'm American, born and raised, but your story has touched me in a positive way. Please don't be ashamed to tell people your wonderful tale. There is a very special place for you in heaven. That place in heaven is filled with good people who do good things, and always has plenty of room. May you be blessed these many days of your wonderful life. I extend the blessing to your wonderful, loving, adoptive family, as well, for they have done the right thing by adopting you and giving you love like the human being I know you are. Love makes us all human, no matter what part of the world we're from and call home.

[@d.ls.2622]

❤🙏🏼

[@mikeparker6322]

I am not a religious person but I know Pastor Lee is going to Heaven. God Bless him.

[@pavelten1540]

God bless this pastor and his ministry. 🙌

[@MTGoddard]

🙏🏽

[@ritamccomas9271]

Amen!

[@stanbasicidol9444]

Amen!

[@reinglorencemagno4449]

Amen!😔🙏🏻

[@amywares2100]

Amen! 🙏🏻

[@NewmNetwork]

This man is an earth angel. I live in Australia and my heart is aching. I would give anything to help this man and what he does. I have one little girl, but I lost 4 babies from miscarriage. I would give anything to love another child. This man is amazing. We must love him and the cause he is fighting for.

[@JoseFigueroa-iz2on]

You still have a chance, somehow, some way. Even if you choose to adopt, you can still love. There is no shame in doing so.

[@mjs3370]

This Pastor is an Angel on Earth. God Bless him & all those who assist him.

[@communistsinthegazebo4457]

God bless Lee Jong-rak, the world needs more people like him.

[@snowyconfession]

Many people blamed the mother, but it takes two to make a baby. Parents, do not teach your daughters only. You must also teach your son to always be responsible for his actions, and that included if he was having sex outside marriage

[@waves2378]

Two people commit the deed, but only one bears the burden. There’s a show, Girl from Nowhere. The first episode of the second season covers this topic.

[@deanna1589]

I hope someday the government will realize that kicking them out of school is more costly to society in the long term. Instead they should at least be offered online classes or night classes. They should also be offered a faster class option for graduation. Along with the school teaming up with resources to help them with daycare and employment. These young mothers, should be given all the support they need to help them emotionally, spiritually and physically.

[@Stoffmonster467]

Simply keep them in school, pregnancy is no infectuous disease

[@mrs.h2725]

Im thankful for this amazing man’s work to save these children, and his compassion for these mothers. One of the first stories where the baby was wrapped in the mother’s (a likely underage girl) school clothes made me tear up 😢. All societies need to stop punishing, shaming and controlling girls and pregnant women. That does not happen on their own. And very often for girls, as well as women, it’s a result of abuse. My heart aches for all the mothers who wanted to keep their child but their society wouldn’t allow it.

[@RJE95]

I was quite shocked to hear that schools can do that there. Where I am from (UK), girls will usually continue their studies at school until the birth and then I think they are allowed some time to recover before resuming. My experience of schools is that they are usually quite willing to help and work around these kinds of complications. I think it's best a girl can still attend school if she wants to, and only study from home if that's her choice because she's struggling with symptoms in class. There were two girls in my year group who had babies in their final year at my school, and it makes me sad that it's not an option for young Korean girls.

[@Stoffmonster467]

@@RJE95 This happened in Germany when my parents (both over 80 now) had been pupils, and they found it that time sensless and cruel. Teenage pregnancy is rare here, but the girls have to go to school, and everything is tried that they make any kind of professional education to feed both, mom and child, later.

[@goodman528]

sluts do not deserve this.

[@SuperJanieg]

What a lovely nan, truly an angel here on earth

[@yamato7979]

I seen Pastor before on previous interviews about his baby box 👶🏻📦 he is saving a life. I put this on my social media to inform people ✝️👍👏

[@cherryfieldsinc]

I think I'm crying all the tears that you where holding back when you helped those women and babies. It's like a river of tears...

[@peits8480]

This man should be granted a title of Sainthood

[@angellanabb3662]

I first heard about the Baby Box years ago and thought it such a wonderful thing and wished that this was the practice of a lot of Countries a lot sooner. It's ashame that society has put a stigma on whats is supposed to be a beautiful day of a woman and childs life that it comes down to having to go to such extreme measure to have to have something like this because of the position a girl finds herself in or the baby is born disabled and the mother doesn't have the means to take care of the child.. there's so many scenarios that often happen that could lead up to these measures, I think that One extraordinary Pastor to open his home and raise children that are unwanted is very special indeed and shows just how much unconditional love he has for these children is just absolutely beautiful. He's making every baby he touches feels , that they are wanted and are special and that is magnificent in my heart. I have nothing but high respect for someone like this.

[@traceycrawford9938]

I had two boys so I’d love to adopt a little girl. But adoption costs are ridiculously expensive and the adoption ‘rules’ exclude a lot of us who have so much love to give a child. We’re too old, not married, aren’t rich enough etc… it’s so unfair when there are beautiful children desperately needing love and care and other people desperate to give it :’(

[@detectivenora]

You have a good heart, Im sure God will make a way for you

[@BexsBoxofConfusion]

Adoption shouldn't be viewed as saving a child, and adoption (esp with transnational adoption) comes with significant costs to keep connected with their native culture (language lessons, culture immersion, and travel to the home nation somewhat regularly). It's also about honoring the ideals of that nation in your child-rearing. Many adoptive parents also don't realize that their adopted children may grow up and feel more connected to their oirigin than to them, feeling rejected etc. I absolutely believe that many adoptive parents can be great parents, my friend is adopted from South Asia and has great adoptive parents and doesn't feel the need to meet her biological mother, but her sister does have a bigger yearning for that. It's also kind of concerning that you want to adopt to fill a void of a girl, instead of wanting to raise another child. The girl you adopt then may not be anything like the girl you want them to be, and may grow up and turn out to be a boy. Transatlantic adoption should be expensive, because you should be traveling to and from that country to meet the child at different points, spend a lot of time with them, sign papers and show records, do homestudies and other things which is for the child's best interest. Too many adoptive parents end up abusive, there's way too many stories about it, despite the checks already in place, so it really should be *more* intense than it is. And more hopeful adoptiive parents should be checked for racial bias because soooo many adopt children from other etnicities and are just awful about it

[@traceycrawford9938]

@@BexsBoxofConfusion How absolutely awful that you believe leaving children languishing in filthy orphanages, deprived of proper love, nutrition and human interaction is better than being in a loving home due to money!?! Your attitude is exactly what is wrong with the world today. And as for my desire to raise a girl… I have already raised SIX children (my two boys plus four more step-children.. TWO being girls).

[@BexsBoxofConfusion]

@@traceycrawford9938 look at you not responding to anything I actually said. No, I never believed that. I believe in better social safety nets and domestic adoption as far as possible. Then I believe that there should be strict controls on those who adopt from abroad, and now add the conditions I said there (language, culture, visits). Does that translate to “leave them languishing”? No. You sound like a white savior and I promise you that that thought does more harm than good. There’s children being raised being told that their parents “saved” them and as such the children can’t complain or want for anything because they should just be grateful. This is why more control is needed. Just like people go to “Africa” to volunteer at orphanages thinking they’re doing good when they’re traumatizing children by everyone leaving all the time, it is very easy to traumatize children by thinking you’re doing good by taking them when that taking can be significantly traumatizing. It is not that simple. You thinking that me expressing criticism and expressing caution + why adoption needs to be regulated is me saying that “leave them there moahahha” is… telling to me

[@yivunqp963]

​@@traceycrawford9938can't handle reality.

[@mariegreen3650]

An amazing compassionate gentleman. Thank goodness that there are people like him to help these desperate parents. It is heartbreaking that in this modern era and in such a developed country, there is still such a mind set that makes many single parents feel their only option is to give up their babies. a stigma to

[@avinashnahak9167]

Today I got true perspective on human life….in a world where so many lives are lost each second for many different reasons only a few are human enough to step in to save life in circumstances no one cares about. Pastor Lee is so blessed to have lived a life so fulfilling and purposeful. We just need to act….I can see the impact from just a single person’s thought, can’t imagine what we can achieve together as a society. I am starting my journey today towards becoming a better human being.

[@user-qb2qv6lq7k]

It’s wonderful to know that there are people in this world,like this caring, passionate man and his team to help change our societies attitudes to our future human race, especially countries that have a low birth rate. God bless you all❤🙏

[@shiminzhou4144]

Please pray for my son , I saved him from his dad's abuse My son's name is Jeremy Ning On,Chow Please pray for him to obey and respect his mommy and for him to grow up safely in HK and for me his mommy to forget all the past bad memories but to move on very bravely and to have angels with us wherever we go And to have health and strength and to be very very blessed and safe from all bad people, free from all oppression Thank you and sorry for the long comment

[@PrettyinPink93]

God is with you dear 🙏

[@nishusingh1523]

God is with you and your son and protect your family I will always pray for you 😊😊

[@SerenaVang-fx1bl]

Jeremy Ning On, I Pray for you to obey, respect your mother and for you to grow healthy ( forget that dad of yours cause he's abusive) also you the mother pls be safe too

[@shanelyoo7250]

@shiminzhou May God's blessings be upon you and your son. Teach him God's biblical principles. Proverbs 6:22 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go. And when he is old, he will not depart from it." Teach him withis Bible verse found in Ephisians 6:1 it says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right."

[@doodledogdiary3644]

Not a good idea to post your son's full name and location on the internet where everyone can see my friend

[@samanthalee9839]

The government should support more.. their population decreasing alot.. and older people died everyday its in the news already.. having a baby in korea is so expensive.. housing, education, everything is expensive.. they should also allow babies to be registered as long as it's korean even the parents is not married..

[@lorenacruz38]

Que Dios le de mucha salud a este gran Pastor que ayuda a tantos angelitos .

[@oredk]

What a wonderful soul.

[@patriciatorresderamirez4759]

Thank For You Saving Little 😇 God Bless You And All The Babies You Save

[@cecileroy557]

Such a wonderful program this pastor has instigated!! If societies didn't have such destain for these young mothers they wouldn't be forced to give the baby away - or leave it to die somewhere...

[@sallysalvo3142]

His heart is so big✨💖Only few men are like him🎷💖

[@luciamartinez8435]

God bless you servant of God ❤ God is seeing how many angels you saved & keep on saving ❤ 😊

[@kathy.7475]

Some monastery’s in Korea had revolving cradles where unwanted babies could be left and raised by the monks. During the Korean War there were many babies of Korean mothers and GI fathers. These children were ostracized and often killed so the revolving cradles saved lives of these innocent little ones.

[@deepdude4719]

A concious man. A good heart.

[@paddyroodzant4760]

Such a while saving story! God bless you all. Mothers able to make sure their children will be able to grow up healthy and happy.

[@ariel_monaco]

God bless you Pastor Lee! You are a real hero!

[@user-ol1db8zp7c]

text written on the baby box "내 부모는 나를 버렸으나 여호와는 나를 영접하시리이다 = For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in" blessings to the child and the pastor!

[@QueeniceaO.E-qi3bv]

I am encouraged to do this in the future in my country

[@estheryi9797]

Thank you for spreading his message ❤️

[@truthseeker321]

This man has heart of God😢

[@T1M6]

What an amazing gentleman , bless you and all your helpers. 💕

[@kattiecummins2416]

May god grant u many more yrs what u are doin is wonderful and has touched my heart ❤️ u are truely sent by god and im very thankful 4 the lives u how saved and touched with your faith and kindness

[@survivor648]

God bless this man for doing this!❤❤❤

[@donnasmith5461]

I wish I were in South Korea. I'm too old now. I would love to help. I watch every S.Korean video, from camping to its business side, to tourism, to wages, to apartments, and laws, crime etc. There is so much! But when it comes to the plight of the babies, I get weak and my heart skips a beat for every child who is lost and every one who falls through the cracks. Sometimes the system sucks.

[@staceyk.210]

In today times having a child can be exciting for some and scary for others!! It's extremely expensive having a baby but I can't imagine what what a teenager in Korea would feel like!! Having no support system is 1 thing but if your parents resent you for getting pregnant that's another Dark Blow!! Perhaps educating young girls in school and letting them know the consequences of having unsafe sex can lead to a lot of issues that may not be in their best interests might help!! Thank Goodness for this Pastor and his Ministry for being their to Support these Girls/Women!! 🙏🏽❤🙏🏽

[@Melora84]

They should also teach young men that they’re not entitled to have unprotected sex ‘just because they feel entitled’.

[@64ytb]

God bless them all. That's the reason why i am still single. Bringing a life into this world is a very great responsibility. If you can do it, don't. Because you will only bring more misery into this world. Be responsible. Korean society has a lot to learn.

[@maryloumonheim8724]

Wonderful work saving babies.

[@phammond2392]

This sweet man💖💖💖. He will have a special place in heaven, no doubt.

[@kellyt.florko5312]

God Bless the people who run the baby box that's a wonderful thing to do I sure would have saved many many babies

[@kristina17-9]

Moved me in tears when I watched this full documentary in k-doc channel

[@karenmason4912]

Thank you Pasror Lee , You are doing God’s Amazing work 🙏🏻💙

[@yemisrachs.7]

My eyes full fo tears 😢 God bless you Pastor Lee for you soft hearted.

[@broomrider4699]

How on earth is a baby ineligible for a birth certificate?

[@catsandfriends5918]

Apparently it is very strict in Korea for birth registration, and once you register, the family will know.

[@Christina-ic3po]

God bless you 🙏 ❤️ 🙌 I wish there was more caring people like you

[@caroleolivette8143]

God bless you and your work!

[@The88lightangel]

Lovely...such loving work....very Moving!!

[@ladybeauty495]

More grace Pastor. You are a modern day hero.

[@viw4879]

What a great man! Thank you!

[@ezraloraine4993]

I'm crying just watching this and the documentary about baby box. I'm not even a mother and just 23 years old but I felt sad and hopeful for the children. I wish I can be able to help those children in the future.

[@rw.3760]

God bless this pastor saving God's children 🙏 ❤,

[@KofiCatlovesU]

God bless you and your ministry Gods love is powerful. Bless you sir.

[@robbinb6659]

Why would they expel them? Those poor girls. God Bless this man.

[@emmaDurakovich]

Why are they abandoning their babies ? Government should help out and provide support to mothers as much as possible in this case

[@Mary-cm3ig]

Well they don’t. So adoption is the best thing for the BABY. Stop always worrying about the parents when the baby is more important.

[@classicalroach]

Thank you pastor

[@marydaniel384]

Such a wonderful good hearted man. 🙏🏼😇Mayy God bless Always

[@JoseFigueroa-iz2on]

There is a very special place in heaven for people like Pastor Lee. May he be blessed forevermore for what he has done and will continue to do the many days of his life. I humbly ask that my comment not be misconstrued, please.

[@dirthmother]

bless his soul, and those of the people working with him

[@paullapointe9984]

Such a deeply moving story. Wonderful man. 🎉

[@Evansmom1422.]

You’re the truest helping hand to them and we all pray that whatever you’re doing god will surely look upon that... thank you for being so kind and loving person ❤

[@janemacaulay9372]

Thank God for you Pastor Lee! What a wonderful thing you are doing for these poor girls. It really boggles my mind why they are treated so awful in Korea! I struggle to understand it as a East Coast Canadian woman, and a mother of an adult daughter. I was given up as a newborn and I am eternally grateful to God for blessing me with my Mum and Dad! They were amazing parents. Its funny...I was raised with 1 older brother who's my parents biological child, yet I have my Mum's smile and act more like our parents than he does! lol The famous psychology term, Nurture vs Nature, in my case Nurture won. Keep up the amazing job that you are doing and may God always bless you! 😘🙏❤️☮️

[@MichelleMC6067]

Thank you so much Pastor ❤ You have given many blessings ❤

[@donnasmith5461]

Yes thank you Father, for helping the babies through God. I watch the baby box all the time. It is so sad but we all must stick together. I am a good writer and I wish I could write to the parents of these kids having kids. Its not just the girls parents, but they can ask the boys parents to take the baby in. Their a part of this too.

[@emmawieson2121]

Claims she’s a good writer. Proceeds to misuse the word “their” and make four childish grammatical errors 😂 You’re a barely passable writer

[@monikagonzales2658]

Bless you

[@suemount6042]

Such heart breaking stories I wish we had baby boxes in my country

[@jalifritz8033]

Where are you from?

[@rubysaniosa5379]

Before giving your child to an orphanage, thinking that you cannot bring them up, think again. You are not sure the life they will have with foster parents. Some have a better life, but for some babies, its even worst

[@alifc1082]

A living and intelligent man, with consciousness about human life, about the society and the women's life in the society, with knowledge of what needs to change and how it could be done.

[@kimlersue]

How wonderful!

[@lazulimoon1970]

This Pastor in an Angel😢😢😢

[@Arizona_lilly]

Awesome video beautiful

[@jasonvoo2795]

So sad..but feel bless atleast a shelter for a baby..as a mother myself i believe all the moms in this world loved thier baby but for some reason they are not be able to raise them..abandone our own child is not a choice but be able to raise them in no matter way is a must..

[@Rosieway01]

God bless this pastor!!! He is going to heaven one day 🙏🏼🕊️

[@HatetheNewNameUpdate]

There are problems that needs to be solved. This helps and he is great but the norms of that culture has to change or else there wont be enaugh baby boxes, never. Hope it will be better for everyone

[@user-zw7mh6iv8p]

What a good man

[@kulet1001]

SK population is decreasing yet the government nor the people won’t help these babies and single parent

[@auroraborealis6009]

A true man of God

[@Rosieway01]

Children should not be adopted, but get to stay with their parents/mother who receive help

[@susanjohnson3265]

Can anyone donate to his church to help to take care of those Innocent little babies.

[@semakinhebat]

They need more support, encouragement and caring to face the life. A baby come to the world is not an easy and they have been waiting for so long to become human. Baby is a Grace from GOD🪷🪷🪷 and they also bring happiness to parent. Never give up them just learn to become a Great Parent with 🥰🥰🥰 and learn the responsibilities in life. Live Life with Happily😊, Lovely💞 and Happiness🪷

[@smithlinda8901]

WE need to listen to people who wants to help helpless Helplessness people to make it better these are future kids ,

[@Ilovedogs0204]

I applaud this man.

[@elsacandelori6152]

Meno SESSO, e più sale nella testa così non si commettono queste atrocità verso queste piccole Anime di Dio. È inutile piangere, ragionate prima di piangere poi.

[@slrflre]

in order to truly know sadness, you need to know happiness and in order to truly know happiness, you need to know sadness.

[@normaparry6452]

you wonderful man

[@abbiebello9955]

I'm crying

[@vminhope3040]

My friend got pregnant by some stupid guy and she had to give up the baby and someone adopted the baby. He never showed up to the hospital like he said he was going to and ghosted her. But she has never been the same since. She has been on depression medication and she used to be the funniest and most bubbly person and seeing her that way literally made me wanna beat up this guy. And years later, I found out who it was. I had no clue I knew him. I haven’t talked to her in a while. She has been hooking up with guys since to fulfill the void in her. And I hope she finds peace and heals because that’s also not a good choice. And she just doesn’t know what to do with herself without a guy. It’s sad.

[@anacervantes7692]

A veces los jóvenes no saben o no miden las consecuencias de sus actos, y después cuando están embarazadas muchas se arrepienten y otras no tienen el apoyo de sus parejas o temen el regaño o el rechazo de sus padres y al ser tan jóvenes no saben cómo manejar la situación, se sienten perdidas y la desesperación las lleva a tomar decisiones que las harán arrepentirse de por vida, a vivir con el remordimiento de una mala decisión y está idea de la caja la vida es excelente ya que ayuda tanto al bebé a sobrevivir como a la madre ya que aquí podemos ver como también ellas reciben ayuda y muchas solo necesitan un empujoncito para salir adelante y poder regresar por sus bebés y criarla ellas mismas, debería ser implementado en cada país del mundo

[@Arizona_lilly]

Awww sometimes the baby has nothing no clothes no note it’s all different

[@israel_i_stand]

People's mindset in sk has to change

[@carolynfehr]

God bless this man! Where is the state????

[@zumrutanka846]

On side there are people saving Babies, helping families- God bless them- on the other there are people torturing, abusing them. What an irony.

[@emmawieson2121]

You should see the American foster system. Stopping abortion doesn’t Always mean a baby is saved. Sometimes it just dooms them to a life of torture. I wouldn’t have a job if people weren’t banning abortions, so yay! I get to deal with miserable suffering kids day in and day out, some of whom wish they’d been aborted!

[@virginiaalcantar5443]

God Bless you Father🙏❤️🥲

[@cortlynnelliott1797]

Ohh this mans compassion and love broke my heart ♥ made me want to cry

[@vickylch]

que triste...

[@Youn06311]

I have living in Korea for a year now, it's my first time hearing about it tbh I am shocked. I can't help but I live in seoul. If there is anyway to volunteer in this center it would be great.

[@stephenmartinez1]

Where I grew up in Arkansas in USA, the local school district had an alternative school where the pregnant girls could go, separate from the high school. The schoolwork was done on computers but there were still teachers there to help, and the hours were not regular so the girls could come in when they were able to, and finish the schoolwork at home if they wanted to. Since it was still the public school, it was free of course, and the regular school bus had a route to take them there. Also, young mothers automatically qualify for government assistance for pretty much everything including college. The teenage mother culture here is also very normal so it’s not as stigmatized. Also, because of us laws there’s no such thing as citizenship, birth certificate, or “registration” problems for babies here. Any person born in the United States is automatically a United States citizen. If the mother can’t take care of the baby but wants to in the future, she can allow the state to Take over the care until she is ready.

[@trumpetbiden]

Where is the father?

[@stephenmartinez1]

@@trumpetbiden teenage fathers are all different. Some are losers who do nothing to help raise or support the baby. Some welcome their child and insist on taking and raising the baby rather than the mother raising it. Most of the time it’s the single mother who raises the baby with the father gone. The government forces the father to pay “child support” if the parents are not together.

[@daisy5605]

🙏💜