There are 275 government-recognized welfare homes in South Korea with a combined population of approximately 13,000 children aging from new born infants to 18-year-old students. (The exact number of additional children living in private homes is unknown, but some estimates say there may be a similar number of students residing in non-government-recognized welfare homes.)

NOTE: These numbers do not include the tens of thousands of adults who have already aged out of welfare homes and who often continue to need support and caring relationships with a responsible adult.