Seoul: The government will consider allowing the use of abortion pills for women up to nine weeks pregnant, as related regulations remain unrevised following the Constitutional Court's 2019 striking down of the abortion ban, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Wednesday. While such an institutional vacuum remains unclosed, some women are resorting to "dangerous methods" and the problem should no longer be left unattended because it amounts to neglecting the people's lives and safety, Han said during a government policy coordination meeting.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Prime Minister emphasized the government's plan to introduce abortion pills in a phased manner for pregnancies up to nine weeks. For the first two years, both prescription and dispensing will take place directly at hospitals. Once necessary conditions are fulfilled, the system will transition to doctors prescribing and pharmacies dispensing the medication.
Han stressed that safety is a primary concern, and measures must be developed to ensure women in need can access treatment within a safe medical framework. This would prevent reliance on unverified methods. She also addressed concerns regarding the value of life, stating that the initiative aims to protect public health rather than promote abortion.
The Prime Minister called for understanding from the public, clarifying that the intent behind this measure is to safeguard health rather than encourage abortion.