[On-site Video] "Pregnancy Termination, Now a Right Not a Crime" Solidarity Group Urges Guarantee of Pregnancy Termination Rights

Urging Seven Measures Including Full Health Insurance Coverage for Pregnancy Termination Medical Procedures and Implementation of Related Education

[Asia Economy PD Yoon Jin-geun] “From decriminalization to rights protection, only straight ahead!”

The coalition group advocating for the protection of abortion rights, 'Rights Protection Network for Everyone’s Safe Abortion,' held its launch ceremony at 11 a.m. on the 17th in front of Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The coalition includes 22 organizations such as the Health and Medical Organizations Alliance for the Realization of Health Rights, Women’s Environmental Network, Korea Women’s Hotline, and Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center.

In April 2019, the Constitutional Court ruled that the criminal penalty provisions that completely banned abortion under the Criminal Act were unconstitutional and requested the National Assembly to prepare a legislative amendment (alternative legislation) reflecting this by the end of 2020. However, as discussions on alternative legislation in the National Assembly failed to make progress, attempts to amend the law were halted.

At the launch ceremony, the coalition urged seven demands including ▲ full application of health insurance to abortion-related medical procedures ▲ introduction and expanded accessibility of abortion-inducing drugs ▲ establishment of a health and medical system for safe abortion ▲ implementation of education to guarantee abortion rights.

The "Network for Guaranteeing the Right to Safe Abortion for All" held its launch ceremony at 11 a.m. on the 17th in front of Bosingak, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The photo shows participants opening a performance during the launch ceremony. Photo by Jin-geun Yoon PD yoon@

Through the launch declaration, the coalition criticized the government and the National Assembly for the sluggish progress in enacting alternative legislation on abortion. They pointed out, “Under the irresponsible neglect of the government, National Assembly, health authorities, and related responsible departments, measures to establish a health and medical system for safe abortion and to guarantee rights are not being implemented.”

Na Young, representative of SHARE (Center for Sexual Rights and Reproductive Justice), emphasized that the state must take the lead in guaranteeing safe abortion. Representative Na stated, “What the state must do is actively resolve inequalities and change living conditions so that everyone can live with respect for their own lives.”

Health and medical organizations also argued that a system is needed to provide medical services for safe abortion. Na Yeon, an activist from the Acting Nurses Society, said, “(With the decriminalization of abortion) changes are gradually sprouting in medical settings,” adding, “Citizens say that just by no longer being punished, the barriers to visiting hospitals have significantly lowered,” and “Healthcare professionals who support abortion rights also hope that a system will be established so they can provide abortion medical services stably.” The coalition announced plans to visit the National Assembly, government ministries, and local governments to demand measures for rights protection and inequality resolution in the future.