"'Abortion Crime' Finally History... 'Urgent Introduction of Miscarriage-Inducing Drugs and Health Insurance Coverage'"

Pregnancy Should Be Terminable with Medication
Strengthening Contraceptive Access and Medical Insurance Systems
Follow-Up Discussions Must Follow

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] As of the 1st, Article 269, Paragraph 1 and Article 270, Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Act, which defined the crime of abortion, have been completely abolished.

After the Constitutional Court ruled the law unconstitutional on April 11, 2019, and related laws were not amended, this law has disappeared into history.

Korea has become the second country after Canada to confirm the unconstitutionality of the crime of abortion without establishing new punishment provisions. The Joint Action for the Abolition of Abortion Crime for All emphasized at a press conference on the 31st of last month that "although it is regrettable that legislative progress to clearly guarantee rights, rather than simple decriminalization by exceeding the legislative revision deadline, has not been achieved, it has created a precedent of significant global importance."

Although the crime of abortion has disappeared, urgent issues remain to be discussed. The medical system for safe abortion, strengthening access to contraception, and improving legal systems related to birth, parenting, and adoption must be addressed. Women's groups argue for the introduction of medical abortion drugs that can terminate pregnancy with medication and for applying health insurance to medical procedures related to pregnancy termination. They also point out the need to establish legal systems related to birth, parenting, and adoption to strengthen the right to give birth.

Na Young, CEO of the Center for Sexual Rights and Reproductive Justice Share, said, "Simple procedures or prescriptions should be done at primary care hospitals, but if not possible, a referral system to secondary and tertiary hospitals should be established," adding, "It should serve as a proper guide under the Maternal and Child Health Act and the Medical Service Act and guarantee rights."