Han Jeong-ae: "Misunderstanding that childbirth by unmarried mothers is illegal... Will consider system improvement"

Han Jeong-ae, Chair of the Policy Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th of last month, delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Han Jeong-ae, the Chair of the Policy Planning Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, addressed the controversy over the "illegal status of single mothers giving birth in Korea" sparked by Japanese-born broadcaster Sayuri Fujita's public disclosure of giving birth as an unmarried woman, stating, "To conclude, voluntary single motherhood is not illegal in the Republic of Korea."

At the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th, Chair Han explained, "After directly inquiring with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Article 24 of the Bioethics and Safety Act stipulates that the consent signature of a spouse is required when the procedure is performed on someone with a spouse. This means that if there is no spouse, no consent signature is needed, so it is not illegal."

Chair Han added, "Furthermore, the Maternal and Child Health Act is a support law aimed at protecting maternal and infant life and health and promoting healthy childbirth and child-rearing, not a law to regulate or punish voluntary single mothers," and said, "In fact, in vitro fertilization procedures for unmarried women are also possible at infertility treatment medical institutions."

She continued, "Then what caused the misunderstanding that single motherhood is illegal in Korea?" and pointed out, "It is the ethical guidelines of hospitals and academic societies, not the law, that make procedures difficult for unmarried women. The lack of detailed legal regulations on single motherhood births also causes confusion."

She further stated, "In fact, the ethical guidelines for assisted reproductive technology of the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology specify that in principle, there must be a legal marital relationship for in vitro fertilization procedures, which enforces a prohibition not found in the law," and urged, "The National Assembly will review necessary measures for system improvement. Please ask the Ministry of Health and Welfare to enter into consultations for unnecessary guideline revisions."

Earlier, Sayuri revealed on her Instagram on the 16th that she gave birth to a son in Japan after receiving sperm donation. In an interview with KBS1's 'News 9' that day, Sayuri pointed out, "In Korea, only married people can undergo in vitro fertilization, and everything was illegal," and expressed, "I hope the right to have children will be recognized. I wanted to be a proud mother to my child, not a lying mother."

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