"Welcome" vs. "Life Neglect": What Do You Think About Allowing Drug-Induced Abortion?

Approval of Maternal and Child Health Act at Cabinet Meeting on the 17th... Includes Doctor's Duty to Explain
Calls for Complete Abolition of Abortion Crime
Canada, UK, and Others Allow Abortion for Social and Economic Reasons

Officials from the Basic Income Party and Everyone's Feminism held a press conference on the steps of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 19th of last month, condemning the Ministry of Health and Welfare's proposed amendment to the Maternal and Child Health Act. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] As the method of abortion using drugs to induce natural miscarriage, apart from surgical abortion by doctors, is set to be legalized, a heated debate continues among citizens. Some express concerns that such abortion allowances might promote a disregard for life, while others welcome the law as it could reduce the suffering of those facing unwanted pregnancies.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 17th, a partial amendment bill to the 'Maternal and Child Health Act' related to artificial abortion was approved at the Cabinet meeting that day. The government plans to submit the bill to the National Assembly and attempt to revise it within the year.

This amendment was prepared following the Constitutional Court's ruling of unconstitutionality on the criminal abortion law in April last year, through discussions among related ministries including the Ministry of Justice and gathering opinions from various sectors.

Earlier, on the 7th of last month, the Ministry of Justice announced a legislative proposal to amend the Criminal Act and the Maternal and Child Health Act to allow pregnancy termination up to 14 weeks of early pregnancy. Additionally, the scope of permitted abortion was expanded by adding social and economic reasons to the existing grounds for abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

The amendment also allows artificial abortion using medically recognized methods such as drug administration. Currently, the law only specifies 'surgery' as the abortion procedure, so this broadens the options.

The oral medication 'Mifjin' for pregnancy termination is used worldwide but has been prohibited from prescription domestically.

Also, while recognizing doctors' refusal to perform artificial abortion based on personal beliefs, exceptions are made for emergency patients. If a doctor refuses the procedure request, they must guide the patient to comprehensive pregnancy and childbirth counseling institutions that provide information on pregnancy continuation or termination.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to respect the Constitutional Court's decision by creating social and institutional support conditions, including safe artificial abortion procedure environments and social and psychological counseling for pregnancies in crisis conflict situations.

However, conflicts over the amendment have intensified. Some worry that revising abortion-related provisions will lead to a widespread disregard for life in our society.

The Korea Christian Federation (HanGyoChong) stated on the 9th, "The proposed legal amendments to the Criminal Act and Maternal and Child Health Act submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare will result in a wrong outcome that promotes a disregard for life in Korean society, and we express serious concerns," adding, "We strongly oppose this."

HanGyoChong also argued against allowing abortion up to 14 weeks of pregnancy, citing that by 12 weeks the fetus's brain and heart are formed, already possessing a complete human form, and stated, "We cannot agree."

A petition titled "The gestational limit for abortion crimes is meaningless. We urge the 'complete abolition' of abortion crimes" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board on the 2nd. / Photo by Blue House National Petition Website Capture

On the other hand, there are views that the number of people suffering from unwanted pregnancies could decrease. It is also argued that this respects women's right to self-determination and that the direction should be toward the complete abolition of the abortion law.

Consequently, a petition titled "The gestational limit on abortion law is meaningless. We urge the complete abolition of the abortion law" was posted recently on the Blue House's public petition board.

The petitioner said, "Those opposing the abolition of the abortion law usually argue that the fetus's life takes precedence over a woman's right to self-determination. Then what about the life of a woman with an unwanted pregnancy? Is the current law, which forces unwanted childbirth under the guise of 'respect for life' by state power, correct?"

They continued, "As long as the abortion law and other oppressive legal systems against women exist, created under the outdated notion that 'women are baby-making machines,' women cannot be respected as human beings. Please completely abolish the abortion law that infringes on women's reproductive rights and their right to self-determination regarding pregnancy and childbirth, which are basic human rights. The right to self-determination over one's body must apply equally to everyone," urging action.

Office worker Kim (27) also said, "All responsibility is being placed solely on women. Pregnancy is not something one can do alone. So why is only the woman subject to punishment?" He pointed out, "The Constitutional Court has already ruled the criminal provisions punishing women who had abortions as unconstitutional. This is the case in other countries as well. We need to change accordingly with this trend."

Meanwhile, among the 36 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 31 allow abortion for social and economic reasons.

In Canada, which completely abolished the abortion law in 1988, some provinces such as Alberta and Ontario provide miscarriage-inducing drugs free of charge.

In the United Kingdom, abortion is permitted up to 24 weeks if two doctors agree and the pregnant woman requests it. Grounds for abortion are broad, including protection of the mother's life, physical and mental health, economic and social reasons, and personal request. Additionally, abortion is allowed within 24 weeks if there is harm to physical or mental health, and regardless of gestational age if there is serious harm to the pregnant woman's health.

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