Korea plans abortion pill rollout as doctors, women's groups clash over access
As Korea prepares to introduce abortion pills, women’s rights groups and doctors are welcoming the move but remain divided over how broadly the drugs should be made available. Women's rights advocates are calling for wider eligibility and eased prescription rules, while doctors are urging tighter medical oversight, reflecting a broader debate over how to balance reproductive autonomy with patient…
South Korea is set to begin offering abortion pills, with doctors and women's rights groups expressing support but differing on the scope of access. Women's rights advocates are pushing for more lenient eligibility criteria and prescription regulations, whereas medical professionals are advocating for stricter medical oversight, highlighting an ongoing debate between reproductive rights and patient safety.
The government announced plans on Wednesday to permit the use of abortion pills for pregnancies up to nine weeks, starting from early next year. This decision comes after a judicial ruling in 2019 deemed abortion laws unconstitutional, leaving lawmakers unable to reach a consensus for years, thus leaving the issue unresolved. In the interim, abortion pills have been available through illegal channels, prompting demands for a legal framework.
President Lee Jae Myung directed officials to consider the potential introduction of Mifegyne at a Cabinet meeting in July.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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