{
  "id": 7675129,
  "title": "Seoul to consider introducing abortion pills: prime minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/seoul-to-consider-introducing-abortion-pills-prime-minister",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T01:24:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260916003500315"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SEOUL, Sep. 16 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Han Seong-sook has announced that the government is considering allowing the use of abortion pills for women up to nine weeks pregnant. This decision comes as related regulations have not been revised since the Constitutional Court struck down the abortion ban in 2019. Han made the announcement during a government policy coordination meeting, emphasizing that the issue should no longer be neglected due to the potential harm it poses to women's lives and safety.\n\nThe government plans to introduce abortion pills in phases, initially for women up to nine weeks pregnant. During the first two years, both prescription and dispensing will occur directly at hospitals. Once certain conditions are met, the system will transition to doctors prescribing and pharmacies dispensing the pills. Safety remains the top priority, according to Han, who stressed the need to provide women with a safe medical system rather than forcing them to resort to unverified methods.\n\nThe government is also addressing concerns regarding the value of life. Han stated that the measure is aimed at protecting people's health, not encouraging abortion. She appealed for broad understanding of the government's intent to ensure the well-being of women.",
  "summary": "SEOUL, Sept. 16 (Yonhap) -- The government will consider allowing the use of abo...",
  "key_points": [
    "Prime Minister Han Seong-sook proposes abortion pill use for women up to nine weeks pregnant",
    "Government plans phased introduction, starting with hospital prescriptions",
    "Safety and health emphasized over encouraging abortions"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The government's plan to introduce abortion pills marks a shift towards prioritizing women's health and safety over concerns about the value of life, potentially altering the current medical landscape.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Seoul to consider introducing abortion pills: prime minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/seoul-to-consider-introducing-abortion-pills-prime-minister-7675814",
        "published": "2026-09-16T01:32:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}