"Tolerance Must Be Shown to Pregnant Women in Crisis"
"Denies Statement 'Give Birth Even If Raped'"
Kim Haeng, the nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, clarified that she has "never even for a second believed that women who become pregnant due to rape must give birth unconditionally," following controversy over her past remarks suggesting that "even if raped, one can somehow raise the child."
On the morning of the 21st, Kim issued a statement saying, "I went to Saemangeum yesterday to prepare thoroughly for the confirmation hearing. Meanwhile, I had become a complete villain," addressing the controversy.
Previously, Kim sparked controversy for comments made during a 2012 appearance on Wikitree Social Broadcast (Kim Hyung-wan's current affairs and human rights talk 'Abortion, Fetal Rights vs. Women's Rights'), where she discussed the Constitutional Court's ruling upholding the abortion ban at the time.
She said, "Even if a woman did not want to become pregnant, for example, if she is poor, the man ran away, or she was raped, in any case where a woman gives birth, I believe that if there is tolerance we can gently extend before social and economic support, the woman can somehow raise the child," and added, "In the Philippines, where abortion is banned, even if Korean men get women pregnant and run away, the women give birth to all the children."
Regarding this, Kim explained, "The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family refers to these women as crisis pregnant women and crisis newborns," adding, "They are the target of the Ministry's policy services. Naturally, the Ministry and the state must protect them. And before that, we must show tolerance toward them."
She also addressed the controversy over her remarks at a brief press conference on the 15th, where she said, "I intend to look into the current state of abortion, which is hidden behind the plausible rhetoric of self-determination, except in cases of abortion due to sexual violence or clear disabilities," and "I will create legislation and secure budgets to take responsibility for unavoidable abortions when women want to give birth."
Kim stated, "The abortion law is still in a legislative vacuum because the ruling and opposition parties and women's groups are fighting," and argued, "In this situation, crisis pregnant women and crisis births are not protected, stigmatized infants are abandoned, baby boxes have appeared, and unregistered newborns are not even being identified."
She then criticized media reports as "fake news," protesting, "When did I ever say that women must give birth even if raped? When did I ever force women who were sexually assaulted to give birth?"
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