[Comprehensive] 'Bihonmo' Sayuri Receives Political Support, Proposals for "Bihon Infertility Support Needed"

Han Jeong-ae, Chair of the Democratic Party Policy Committee, "Korea Must Become an Open Society... The National Assembly Will Play Its Role"
Bae Bok-ju, Vice Leader of the Justice Party, "Making the Best Choice for Oneself Is Important"

Japanese-born broadcaster Sayuri / Photo by Instagram capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Supportive messages are pouring in from the political sphere for Sayuri (41), a Japanese-born broadcaster who gave birth to a son through sperm donation. Some voices have pointed out the insufficient support for pregnancy and childbirth for unmarried women and have called for solutions to this issue.

On the 17th, Han Jeong-ae, Chair of the Policy Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at the National Assembly's floor negotiation meeting, "Sayuri gave birth through sperm donation. She has become a voluntary single mother," adding, "Congratulations and blessings to the child."

She continued, "We all must work together to make the Republic of Korea a more open society where the child will grow up," emphasizing, "The National Assembly will play that role."

Bae Hyunjin, a member of the People Power Party and former MBC announcer known to have built a friendship with Sayuri through broadcasting, also posted on her Instagram that day, saying, "Sayuri, you are more beautiful than any other appearance," and "As a former announcer, I certify your wonderful writing skills. I am deeply moved again today. You’re the best, unnie."

There were also voices criticizing the insufficient national support for unmarried women facing infertility.

Bae Bokju, Vice Leader of the Justice Party, wrote on Facebook that day, "It is important to think about one’s own body and choose the best way for oneself regarding what to select and decide," pointing out, "Korea is a country where unmarried people cannot receive infertility support or sperm donation."

She added, "Korea is a country where unwanted pregnancies cannot be terminated, and where proper information and education about contraception are not provided," criticizing, "It is a country where young girls once used shoe insoles because they could not afford sanitary pads, and only women who enter the system can legally receive support for pregnancy and childbirth."

She then questioned, "If Sayuri were a Korean woman, would the political sphere have offered congratulations?"

Broadcaster Sayuri announced on her Instagram account that she successfully gave birth on the 4th. / Photo by Instagram Capture

Meanwhile, according to a KBS report on the 16th, Sayuri gave birth to a 3.2 kg baby boy in Japan on the morning of the 4th (local time). She gave birth after receiving sperm donated from a man stored at a Japanese sperm bank.

Previously, in October last year, Sayuri visited a Korean obstetrics and gynecology clinic due to irregular menstruation and learned that her ovarian age was 48, making the chances of successful childbirth very slim.

Sayuri wanted to have a child, but finding a marriage partner immediately was not easy, and she did not want to marry someone she did not love just for the sake of having a baby. After much deliberation, she chose to become a so-called 'voluntary single mother' without getting married.

The problem was that she could not find a hospital in Korea that would provide sperm donation to an unmarried woman. Ultimately, Sayuri went to a Japanese hospital to receive sperm donation and gave birth last year.

Regarding this, Sayuri told KBS in an interview, "Everything is illegal in Korea. Only married people can undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)," expressing her feelings, "I hope the right to have a baby will also be recognized."

Meanwhile, under current law, only married people can receive IVF procedures using sperm donation. According to Article 24, Paragraph 1 of the current Bioethics and Safety Act, a person who intends to receive treatment using donated eggs or sperm must obtain written consent from their spouse (the consenting party).

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