Abortion Becomes Possible with Medication

On the morning of the 15th of last month, participants criticized the government's legislative notice on abortion laws during the declaration urging the complete abolition of the 'abortion crime' by 100 youth and young feminist activists on the stairs of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Gwanghwamun, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] In the future, artificial pregnancy termination, or abortion, will be possible with oral medication. Until now, it was only possible through a doctor's procedure, but it has been decided to allow medically recognized methods.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that a partial amendment to the Maternal and Child Health Act, which includes provisions related to abortion, was approved at the Cabinet meeting on the 17th. The amendment will be sent to the National Assembly and is expected to pass within the year. Previously, in April last year, the Constitutional Court ruled the criminal abortion law unconstitutional and ordered improvements by the end of this year. In response, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and other related agencies have been discussing the matter.

According to the amendment, abortion, which is currently only possible through a doctor's procedure, will be specified and regulated to include medically recognized methods such as drug administration. In foreign countries, there are drugs like Mifepristone, which inhibits fetal growth, and Misoprostol, which induces uterine expulsion. Mifepristone is not imported into Korea, and Misoprostol is used to treat conditions such as duodenitis. To introduce these drugs domestically, approval must be granted or the approved usage must be changed. Once the legal adjustments are completed, related agencies can take follow-up measures to make this possible.

The amendment also allows for the establishment of separate institutions to support counseling for pregnancies in crisis or conflict situations. To enable early response to unwanted pregnancies, emergency phone lines or online counseling services will be operated by public institutions or commissioned to the Korea Population, Health and Welfare Association. Comprehensive counseling centers will also be established at public health centers. If a woman receiving counseling wishes, a counseling confirmation certificate regarding pregnancy continuation or termination will be issued. Furthermore, there will be grounds to promote education and publicity on preventing unwanted pregnancies or contraception, as well as to conduct surveys and research related to abortion and to implement reproductive organ disease prevention projects.

Doctors must provide sufficient explanations about contraception methods and planned pregnancy to prevent repeated abortions. Additionally, written consent must be obtained from the patient confirming that the abortion is performed based on her self-determination. If a pregnant woman is mentally or physically unable to express her intention or is under 19 years old, the doctor may perform the procedure after explaining to and obtaining written consent from the pregnant woman and her legal representative. If a woman under 19 has no legal representative or cannot obtain consent due to assault or threats from the legal representative, she may receive the procedure by submitting official documents proving this and a counseling confirmation certificate from a comprehensive counseling center.

Also, women aged 16 to under 19 who refuse legal representative consent and submit a counseling confirmation certificate from a comprehensive counseling center, or women aged 18 to under 19 who are married, may receive the procedure after explanation and written consent from themselves. Doctors may refuse to provide artificial pregnancy termination services based on personal beliefs, but exceptions are made for emergency patients. If a doctor refuses a procedure request, they must guide the patient to a comprehensive pregnancy and childbirth counseling center.

Choi Jong-gyun, Director of Population and Child Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "We will submit the government bill to the National Assembly to support smooth related discussions and strive to have it amended within the year." He added, "We will provide socio-psychological counseling and prepare to ensure that the improved legislation is implemented on-site without disruption by consulting with stakeholders and related organizations for medical field management."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.