S. Korean Catholic Church voices 'deep concerns' over abortion bill plan

Seoul, Sept. 17 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean Catholic Church has raised significant apprehensions regarding the government's proposal to officially introduce abortion pills, urging for a re-evaluation of the plan. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Korea (CBCK) emphasized their deep concerns as the measure would formalize abortion in a methodical manner, failing to alter its intrinsic character while potentially fostering a deeper disregard for life within society.

The organization highlighted that the incremental rollout of abortion pills serves merely as a blueprint for widespread expansion, asserting that irrespective of the robustness of the process, the pill inherently terminates a human life within the womb. The CBCK stressed that a society genuinely valuing human life would not prioritize ending the most vulnerable lives to alleviate women's hardships, but rather assume responsibility to prevent such circumstances.

Consequently, the organization called upon the government to establish a comprehensive social safety net, offering housing, medical assistance, counseling services, and reinforcing joint accountability of men within a legal framework. The CBCK earnestly implored the government and the National Assembly to carefully contemplate this matter and choose a path that safeguards life while simultaneously providing practical assistance to women.

The government's proposed plan, which involves introducing abortion pills in stages, emerged as related regulations remained unchanged since the Constitutional Court's 2019 overturning of the abortion prohibition.