{
  "id": 7694892,
  "title": "Gov't announces plans to formally introduce abortion pills",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/govt-announces-plans-to-formally-introduce-abortion-pills",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T03:37:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/20260916/govt-announces-plans-to-formally-introduce-abortion-pills"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Wednesday, the government unveiled plans to formally permit the use of abortion pills for women up to nine weeks pregnant, as existing regulations have remained unchanged since the Constitutional Court's 2019 overturn of the abortion ban. The ministries of gender equality, health, and food and drug safety disclosed the proposals during a government policy coordination meeting, highlighting the institutional gaps that have put women's health and safety at risk. The proposed plan involves a phased introduction of abortion pills, initially administered directly at hospitals for the first two years, with both prescription and dispensing handled in-person. Following the fulfillment of certain conditions, the system is expected to transition to doctors prescribing the pills and pharmacies dispensing them. The food and drug safety ministry has received applications for approval of abortion pills for women up to nine weeks pregnant, vowing to evaluate their safety and quality before moving forward. Some women are turning to dangerous methods, and the matter should no longer be neglected as it signifies a failure to address the lives and safety of the people, stated Prime Minister.",
  "summary": "The government on Wednesday announced plans to formally allow the use of abortion pills by women up to nine weeks pregnant, as related regulations remain unrevised following the Constitutional Court's 2019 striking down of the abortion ban. The ministries of gender equality, health and food and drug safety reported the plans at a government policy coordination meeting, noting the institutional…",
  "key_points": [
    "Government plans to introduce abortion pills formally",
    "Abortion pills allowed for women up to nine weeks pregnant",
    "Phased introduction with initial hospital administration"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The government's plan to introduce abortion pills addresses institutional gaps that have endangered women's health and safety, marking a shift towards formal regulation after years of unchanged laws.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "(LEAD) Gov't announces plans to formally introduce abortion pills",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/lead-govt-announces-plans-to-formally-introduce-abortion-pills",
        "published": "2026-09-16T03:00:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Gov't announces plans to formally introduce abortion pills",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/govt-announces-plans-to-formally-introduce-abortion-pills-7697027",
        "published": "2026-09-16T03:47:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}