"Pregnant Woman Banned" Controversy as Woman in Her 30s Is Expelled from Pool She Used for 3 Years

A sports center in Busan has come under fire for banning a member from its swimming pool solely because she is pregnant, despite the fact that she had been using the facility for three years. The center cited concerns about the risk of miscarriage, but there are no relevant regulations restricting pregnant women from using the pool.

Pregnant Woman Badge

원본보기 아이콘

On August 12, KNN reported that a woman in her early 30s, identified as Ms. A, was denied entry to the swimming pool at a university sports center in Busan. Ms. A, who had been attending the sports center for three years, was barred from entry because of a Pregnant Woman Badge attached to her bag.

Ms. A, who is seven weeks pregnant, stated, "The front desk staff told me that pregnant women are not allowed to use the facility. When I asked why, they said there had been an accident in the past." However, the staff did not provide any details about the alleged accident.

The pool's regulations do not include any provisions prohibiting pregnant women from entering. Restrictions are only placed on those with illnesses or infectious diseases that could harm other members.

The sports center explained that the decision was made to protect both Ms. A's safety and that of other users. A representative stated, "We ask for some understanding from Ms. A. If an accident were to occur and it led to a sudden miscarriage, imagine how the person considered responsible would feel. The emotional burden would be significant."

However, Ms. A has consistently practiced swimming and her obstetrician has recommended swimming as long as she does not overexert herself. She therefore finds the center's explanation difficult to accept.

Ms. A expressed strong regret, stating, "If I become a precedent for being denied entry, other pregnant women may feel compelled to hide their pregnancies. I believe it is discriminatory to be barred from the pool simply because I am pregnant." Ultimately, Ms. A filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea.

A similar case occurred in 2020. At that time, an apartment swimming pool in Gyeonggi Province banned minors from entry citing safety concerns. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea recommended improvements, stating that it is discriminatory to prohibit an entire group from using sports facilities solely due to the risk of accidents.

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