Seoul: The South Korean Catholic Church has expressed "deep concerns" over government plans to formally introduce abortion pills and urged for a reconsideration. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK) made the call in a statement issued Wednesday after the government announced plans to allow the use of abortion pills by women up to nine weeks pregnant.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the CBCK emphasized that the measure would only institutionalize abortion in an "orderly" manner without altering its fundamental nature, allowing a disregard for life to become more deeply entrenched in society. The Catholic Church criticized the phased introduction of abortion pills as a "road map" to expand their use, highlighting that regardless of how structured the process is, it does not change the fact that the pill ends a human life in the womb.
The CBCK argued that a society truly respectful of human life does not eliminate its most vulnerable members to alleviate women's difficulties. Instead, it should take responsibility to ensure that women do not have to give up new life. The organization called on the government to establish a social safety net that better supports women, providing housing, medical support, counseling services, and strengthening men's joint responsibility within a legal framework.
The CBCK urged the government and the National Assembly to contemplate deeply and choose a path that both protects life and practically assists women. Protestant churches also voiced their opposition to the proposed introduction of abortion pills, emphasizing that a fetus is a life deserving protection by the state and society.
The United Christian Churches of Korea stated that instead of policies expanding abortion accessibility, the government and the National Assembly should create a social environment where pregnant women do not feel compelled to give up life. The organization added that abortion pills should not be regarded merely as an issue of choice and convenience, given that they end a fetus's life and carry potential health risks for women.
The government's plan to introduce abortion pills in phases follows the Constitutional Court's 2019 decision to strike down the abortion ban, with related regulations remaining unchanged since then.