Gov't plan to allow abortion pill imports draws mixed responses

The South Korean government has announced a plan to conditionally allow imports of abortion pills, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from various groups. Women's groups have welcomed the plan, calling for its rapid approval and expanded access to medical abortion medications. However, the medical community has urged that relevant laws be amended and safety management systems be established first, while domestic medical and religious communities argue that abortion pills should not be hastily introduced without proper enactment of follow-up legislation.

The government's decision is based on an authoritative interpretation by the Ministry of Government Legislation that such approval does not violate the Mother and Child Health Act, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is currently reviewing an application for the import approval of abortion pills, which can be used within 63 days, or nine weeks, of pregnancy.

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