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Construction of Samsung's P5 fab presses on despite poor weather SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - Construction of the P5 semiconductor fabrication plant continues at Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek campus in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on July 21, 2026. 2026-07-21 18:27:28 -
Construction of Samsung's P5 fab presses on despite poor weather SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - Construction of the P5 semiconductor fabrication plant continues at Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek campus in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on July 21, 2026. 2026-07-21 18:26:08 -
Construction of Samsung's P5 fab presses on despite poor weather SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - Construction of the P5 semiconductor fabrication plant continues at Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek campus in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on July 21, 2026. 2026-07-21 18:24:59 -
Weather Forecast: Continued Rain Across the Country with Heat in the South and Jeju On Wednesday, July 22, monsoon rains are expected to continue across most of the country. Strong rain accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms will primarily affect the central region, while the southern areas and Jeju Island will experience daytime highs reaching up to 37 degrees Celsius.According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on July 21, Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province, and the inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon will see rainfall between 20 to 60mm. The five islands in the Yellow Sea are expected to receive 5 to 20mm, while the eastern coast of Gangwon will also see 5 to 20mm of rain.In North Jeolla Province, rainfall will range from 5 to 40mm, while Gwangju and South Jeolla Province will see 5 to 30mm. Northern inland areas of North Gyeongsang Province are expected to receive 20 to 60mm of rain. Daegu, northern Gyeongsang, and western inland areas of South Gyeongsang will see 5 to 40mm, and Jeju Island is expected to receive around 5mm.While rain will continue in most regions, many areas in the southern part of the country will experience a lull in precipitation. The capital region may also see a brief pause in rain until early morning.Following recent heavy rainfall, strong rain is also expected in North Korea, which may lead to rising water levels and increased flow rates in rivers and streams such as the Imjin, Han, and Bukhan rivers in northern Gyeonggi and northern Gangwon provinces.Valleys and rivers may experience sudden surges in water levels, and there is a risk of isolation in riverside walking paths and underpasses. Residents should be cautious of flooding in low-lying areas, river overflow, landslides, rockfalls, and the inundation of agricultural land.The morning low temperatures are forecasted to be between 22 to 26 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs ranging from 29 to 37 degrees. Overall, the country is expected to be mostly cloudy.The southern regions and Jeju Island will experience heat, with heat advisories in effect for parts of the Chungcheong region, southern areas, and Jeju. The perceived temperature in most regions is expected to rise around 31 degrees.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-21 18:12:00 -
Credit Card Companies Suspend Payments to Homeplus Amid Store Closures 일부 카드사들이 영업을 중단한 홈플러스에 가맹점 대금 지급을 보류하고 있는 것으로 알려졌다. '티메프'(티몬+위메프) 사태처럼 향후 신용카드 할부 결제로 피해를 입은 소비자 환불 요청을 카드사가 부담해야 하는 경우를 막기 위해 미리 대금을 확보해두려는 취지로 풀이된다. 21일 금융권에 따르면 현재 대부분의 카드사들은 홈플러스가 전국 점포 영업을 중단한 지난 13일 이후 홈플러스에 대금 지급을 보류하고 있다. 일부 카드사들은 결제 취소 분에 한해서만 부분적으로 지급 보류하고 있는 것으로 전해졌다. 현행 시스템에 따르면 카드사는 고객이 결제하면 카드사가 먼저 가맹점에 대금을 주고 추후 고객으로부터 대금을 받는 시스템이다. 결제가 취소되면 카드사가 일단 고객에게 환불대금을 처리해주고 가맹점으로부터 취소분을 받아야 한다. 그러나 현재 홈플러스 상황을 고려할 때 추후 대금을 못 받을 가능성을 감안해 미리 리스크 차단에 나선 것으로 보인다. 예를 들어 가전제품 등을 주문했는데 영업중단으로 배송을 못 받은 경우, 사용기한이 남은 문화센터 이용권을 환불하려는 경우 등이 있을 수 있다. 실제로 가맹점 표준약관에 따르면 카드사가 가맹점에 대금 지급을 보류할 수 있는 사유에는 '가맹점이 채무자 회생 및 파산에 관한 법률의 회생신청, 파산신청 또는 어음교환소의 거래정지처분 및 이에 준하는 경영상 변동이 발생'한 경우가 명시돼 있다. 업계 관계자는 "향후 점포 영업 재개 상황 등을 모니터링하고 있다"고 말했다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-21 18:08:00
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Hyundai Targets Africa's 1.4 Billion Population Amid Middle East Uncertainty Hyundai Motor Group is focusing on the African market, which boasts significant growth potential. With a population of 1.4 billion, the continent has an automobile penetration rate of less than 1%, indicating it is still in the early stages of market development. The company aims to strengthen its position in a market dominated by Japan and China through expanded local production and enhanced partnerships.According to industry sources, Hyundai is considering Ghana as a key production hub in West Africa. Since 2022, Hyundai has operated a semi-knocked down (CKD) plant in Tema, Ghana's largest port city, and is exploring plans to establish additional production facilities. Recently, Euisun Chung, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, visited the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ghana, to discuss business expansion in the region with the Asantehene, the king of the Ashanti Kingdom.With a rapidly growing young economic population, Africa is expected to see increased demand for finished vehicles in the coming years. By 2030, the continent's population is projected to reach 2 billion, with an estimated 500 million middle-class individuals capable of purchasing new cars, according to global automotive industry forecasts. The Ghanaian government is also providing various incentives to foreign companies that establish automotive production facilities in the country as part of its Automotive Industry Development Policy (GADP) introduced in 2019.Hyundai is also expanding its production in North Africa. The company is establishing a CKD plant in Algeria, focusing on small hatchbacks and SUVs, with mass production targeted for 2027. Once operational, the Algerian facility is expected to meet North African demand and provide a foundation for exports to neighboring countries.Last year, Hyundai's global sales reached 4,108,605 units, with the Middle East and Africa accounting for about 8% of that total. However, the region has seen an annual growth rate exceeding 5%, and Hyundai anticipates that the abundance of key minerals such as cobalt, lithium, platinum, and rare earth elements will play a crucial role in future electrification supply chains. Sung Kim, head of Hyundai Motor Group's strategic planning division, stated, "We see Africa as the next stage for global growth."Industry analysts emphasize that Africa, composed of 54 countries and thousands of ethnic groups, requires the establishment of ongoing relationships and trust within communities for successful business development. An industry insider noted, "Hyundai's strategy for entering Africa is a comprehensive package that goes beyond mere new car sales, encompassing market, resources, supply chains, production, technology, and talent development. It represents an evolved approach aimed at simultaneously seizing the initial automotive ecosystem and future mobility in Africa, building on the localization success achieved in the Middle East."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-21 18:04:00
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Hanwha Solutions Halves Capital Increase Amid Focus on U.S. Solar Business Recovery Hanwha Solutions has confirmed that its capital increase will be approximately 1.2 trillion won, half of the initially planned 2.4 trillion won. The performance of its U.S. solar business has become increasingly critical to offset the funding shortfall.According to industry sources on July 21, Hanwha Solutions aims to raise a total of 1.1713 trillion won through this capital increase, significantly lower than the original target of 2.3976 trillion won. Financial authorities and investors have raised concerns about the plan to allocate most of the raised funds for debt repayment, leading to the reduced scale.Previously, Hanwha Solutions announced that it would allocate 1.5 trillion won of the raised funds for debt repayment and the remaining 900 billion won for future growth investments.Despite the decrease in raised funds, Hanwha Solutions maintains that it will proceed with its investment plans for U.S. production facilities as scheduled. The company plans to secure the necessary funds through local liquidity in the U.S. However, the amount allocated for debt repayment has been cut from 571 billion won to 263.6 billion won, a reduction of more than half, to support its U.S. solar investment plans.Hanwha Solutions is also implementing stringent self-help measures. On July 16, the company sold a venture capital fund it had invested in to discover innovative U.S. companies for $84.3 million (approximately 125.5 billion won).Additionally, the company issued 300 billion won worth of redeemable convertible preferred shares (RCPS) through its engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) subsidiary in the U.S. It has also secured approximately 340 billion won in advanced manufacturing production tax credits (AMPC) for last year and this year.However, these measures are still insufficient to fill the funding gap. Ultimately, the recovery of profitability in the U.S. solar business will be a key variable.Hanwha Solutions expects that the profitability of Hanwha Q CELLS will improve starting in the third quarter, driven by the expansion of U.S. cell premiums and the normalization of Solar Hub operations. Currently, the annual demand for solar modules in the U.S. is about 40 gigawatts, but local cell production capacity is expected to be around 30 gigawatts next year, indicating a likely supply shortage of U.S.-made cells.If the production yield and operational rate of Solar Hub stabilize, the effects of rising cell sales prices and AMPC benefits could be fully reflected in the company's performance.A Hanwha Solutions official stated, "Following the sale of the venture fund, we are continuously identifying liquid assets. Since asset sales cannot be completed in the short term, we are reviewing various self-help measures to ensure that our investment plans for the second half of the year proceed without disruption."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-21 18:04:00
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Korea to Play Key Role in India's Shipbuilding Mission, Says Ambassador Lee Lee Sung-ho, South Korea's Ambassador to India, predicted that Korea will play a key partnership role in India's shipbuilding industry development strategy. Following the Korea-India summit in April, the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in shipbuilding, shipping, and maritime logistics, raising expectations that economic collaboration could lead to concrete industrial partnerships starting with large shipbuilding projects.During a forum hosted by the Korea-India Future Association in Seoul on July 21, Ambassador Lee stated, "I believe we will participate as an important partner in India's shipbuilding mission."The forum, chaired by Shin Bong-gil, former Ambassador to India, focused on India's political and economic environment and future tasks for economic cooperation between the two countries.Ambassador Lee explained that while India has focused on developing its semiconductor industry, it has recently identified shipbuilding as a core strategic industry. He noted, "The areas that India feels the most need to push forward are the semiconductor mission and the shipbuilding mission, with shipbuilding currently being the most emphasized field."He added, "India has a long coastline and significant export and import volumes, but it currently lacks the capacity to build large container ships. To change this, India is pursuing a national shipbuilding mission with a target year of 2047."Ambassador Lee indicated that India views Korea as its most promising partner in this endeavor. He remarked, "India believes that Korea is the country that can best assist them and is actively seeking our cooperation. Fortunately, Korean companies are also showing interest in the shipbuilding sector."He further stated, "If large shipbuilding projects are realized, they will become signature projects of Korea-India cooperation, potentially opening a second wave of Korean corporate investment following the first wave led by Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and Kia in the 1990s."Ambassador Lee emphasized that such signature projects would symbolize the strategic closeness between Korea and India and could provide new investment opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises in Korea that have viewed India with skepticism.He stressed that future cooperation between the two countries should expand beyond shipbuilding to include sectors such as secondary batteries and strategic manufacturing, which are essential for India's industrial transition.He stated, "From India's perspective, what is most needed from Korea is economic and strategic investment. If such investments are connected through supply chains, Korea could emerge as a strategic partner on par with Japan and the United States in the 'Make in India' initiative."These remarks follow the agreement made during the April summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen cooperation in shipbuilding, shipping, and maritime logistics.At that time, the two countries agreed to pursue the development of large shipbuilding clusters, construction of shipyards, training of maritime professionals, infrastructure development for ports, and cooperation in supply chains for equipment.India aims to become a global shipbuilding powerhouse by 2047 through its 'Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.' The initial key project involves the construction of an eco-friendly large shipyard in the Tuticorin area of Tamil Nadu, with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering's participation being discussed.In his speech, Ambassador Lee identified India's rise as one of the most significant changes that Korean diplomacy must strategically respond to. However, he noted that Korea is not yet India's top priority partner.He assessed, "As of 2026, Korea is considered a second-tier partner from India's perspective. While interest and necessity for Korea have grown, countries like the United States, China, Russia, major European nations, Japan, Australia, Canada, and Singapore still form the top tier."He added, "The extent to which Korea actively participates in India's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' national vision over the next 20 years will determine our strategic status. Depending on how closely we accompany India on its journey to becoming a developed nation, Korea may have the opportunity to rise to a top-tier country."Ambassador Lee concluded, "The 20 years from 2026 to 2047 could be the last opportunity for India to strategically need Korea. Korea must approach India more actively, persistently, and strategically than ever before." 2026-07-21 18:04:00
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Korea ups casino taxes while Japan expands casino resort SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - South Korea is moving to raise the maximum levy on casino operators by 50 percent, a step that could further erode the industry's competitiveness just as Japan expands its gaming sector with its first integrated resort. The government plans to lift the statutory ceiling on the Tourism Promotion and Development Fund levy from 10 percent to 15 percent of casino revenue. The current system applies a progressive levy of 1 percent on annual revenue of up to 1 billion won, 5 percent on revenue between 1 billion won and 10 billion won, and 10 percent on revenue above 10 billion won. The levy is imposed on individual casino properties rather than on operators, meaning a company running several casinos is assessed separately for each location. The government plans to amend the Tourism Promotion Act to raise the legal ceiling, then set the revenue threshold for the new 15 percent rate through an enforcement decree. The threshold has not yet been decided. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is also pursuing a five-year casino license renewal system and a prior approval requirement for transfers of casino business rights. The ministry said the renewal system would periodically verify whether operators continue to meet their original licensing conditions. The transfer approval system would tighten scrutiny of ownership changes and how casino acquisitions are financed. The ministry argues that the current levy brackets no longer reflect the scale of the industry. When the levy was introduced in 1994, six of the country's 13 casino properties generated more than 10 billion won in annual revenue. Most casinos now exceed that level. Total revenue at foreigner-only casinos has increased more than tenfold since then, while average revenue per property has risen more than sevenfold. According to the Korea Casino Tourism Association, annual industry payments into the tourism fund increased from 1.2 billion won in 1994 to 303.9 billion won in 2025. The higher levy, however, could add to the cost burden on Korean operators as they prepare for stronger regional competition. Construction is progressing on Japan's first integrated resort on Yumeshima island in Osaka. The project, led by MGM Resorts and Orix, began construction in April 2025 and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2030. Initial investment is estimated at about 1.27 trillion yen. Osaka authorities project the resort will attract about 20 million visitors annually, including 6 million from overseas. In an October 2025 commentary, Seo Won-seok, president of the Korea Tourism Society, estimated that Korean customers could account for at least 33 percent of the Osaka resort's gaming demand. He projected that 1.6 trillion won in Korean casino spending could shift to Japan during the resort's first year of operation, rising to 2.3 trillion won after the business stabilizes. The figures are projections, not confirmed spending data. Korean casino operators argue that a higher levy could reduce funds available for hotel, entertainment and other non-gaming investment, as well as overseas customer recruitment. The Korea Casino Tourism Association has also noted that operators already pay individual consumption, education and corporate taxes, while the tourism fund levy is assessed on revenue regardless of whether a casino turns a profit. Analyst estimates vary depending on how the new bracket is structured. Eugene Investment & Securities estimated that a broad five-percentage-point increase would cost Paradise an additional 47 billion won a year and Grand Korea Leisure an additional 23 billion won. It estimated an additional burden of 30 billion won for Lotte Tourism Development if Jeju introduced a comparable system. Under that assumption, projected operating profit at the three companies could decline by about 20 percent to 30 percent. Hana Securities separately estimated operating profit reductions of 22 percent for Paradise and 28 percent for GKL. The government has said the actual impact will depend on the revenue threshold and progressive brackets established in the enforcement decree. Jeju, whose casinos are governed separately under the Jeju Special Act, is not directly covered by the proposed amendment. The island's eight foreigner-only casinos posted preliminary revenue of 646.5 billion won in 2025, up 40.8 percent from 458.9 billion won a year earlier and the highest annual figure on record. Securities firms have nevertheless included Lotte Tourism Development, which operates the Dream Tower casino in Jeju, in their impact estimates on expectations that the provincial government may eventually follow the central government's move. Company reports published by Eugene Investment & Securities in May showed differing first-quarter customer trends among the major operators. GKL's drop volume rose 12.6 percent year-on-year to 931 billion won, supported by a 31.2 percent increase in Chinese VIP drop volume and a 12.7 percent rise in other VIP segments. The company dispatched staff to Japan, Taiwan, Mongolia and Thailand to recruit VIP customers, although the expanded marketing activity also raised costs. Paradise reported total drop volume of about 1.8 trillion won, up 3.6 percent from a year earlier. Chinese VIP drop volume fell 17.6 percent, while other VIP volume rose 14.8 percent and mass-market betting increased 16.8 percent. First-quarter revenue increased 3.8 percent to 294 billion won, but operating profit fell 34.9 percent to 37.3 billion won as labor, advertising and hotel operating expenses rose. Lotte Tourism Development's Dream Tower casino recorded about 150,000 visitors in the first quarter, up 37.3 percent year-on-year, while drop volume increased 35 percent to 650.5 billion won. Casino revenue rose 40.3 percent to 118.6 billion won. The company reported total first-quarter operating profit of 28.8 billion won, up 121 percent from a year earlier. Gangwon Land, Korea's only casino licensed to admit Korean nationals, is separately pursuing a 2.5 trillion won expansion program through 2032. The plan includes a second casino building, hotel expansion and additional non-gaming facilities. The second casino is scheduled to open in early 2028, while renovation work is underway on 757 of the resort's 1,827 hotel and condominium rooms. Kangwon Land has cited the Osaka project as a factor behind its efforts to expand and diversify the resort. The ministry says the proposed changes are intended to restore progressivity to a levy system that has barely changed in three decades and to direct additional revenue into tourism infrastructure and workforce development. A parliamentary forum on the proposed regulatory changes is scheduled for July 23. Rep. Cho Gye-won of the ruling Democratic Party is expected to introduce related amendments afterward. Specific levy brackets will be determined only after the Tourism Promotion Act is revised and the government completes consultations with the industry and tax and fiscal experts. 2026-07-21 18:00:03 -
Lee revives Korea's unfinished abortion debate SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - For seven years, South Korea's abortion debate has remained trapped between a Constitutional Court ruling that struck down the country's abortion ban and a legal vacuum that has left women navigating an unregulated market for medication. President Lee Jae Myung has now thrust the issue back onto the government's agenda by questioning why women seeking to terminate pregnancies are still being driven toward illicit online sellers for a medicine that is legally prescribed across much of the developed world. At a Cabinet meeting on July 14, Lee instructed the government to find a way to permit the proper use of mifepristone even before lawmakers complete long-delayed revisions to abortion laws. "Even if it creates some difficulty for the government, we should make it possible for the drug to be administered properly," Lee said. "I think it is irresponsible for the government to leave things as they are." Lee also suggested doctors could temporarily be given professional discretion over prescribing the medicine, arguing supervised treatment is preferable to women buying unidentified products online without prescriptions or follow-up care. Relevant ministries have begun consultations under the Office for Government Policy Coordination. His intervention has transformed what had largely been a dispute among regulators, women's rights groups and medical organizations into a broader test of whether the government can move administratively while the National Assembly remains deadlocked. At the center of the debate is mifepristone, used together with misoprostol, the internationally accepted medication regimen for early pregnancy termination and approved in nearly 100 countries. Can approval come before abortion-law reform? Progressive Party lawmaker Son Sol, who has proposed revisions to Korea's abortion laws, argues it can. She said the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety already has authority under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act to review and approve mifepristone independently of broader abortion legislation. "Marketing authorization should be pursued first, while amendments to the Mother and Child Health Act and related laws covering the legal definition of pregnancy termination, standards for medical provision and national health insurance coverage should proceed at the same time," Son told AJP. The distinction is significant. Drug approval determines whether a medicine satisfies standards for safety, efficacy and quality, along with approved dosage, indications and gestational limits. Separate legislation would still be required to determine who may prescribe the drug, where it may be dispensed, how complications are managed and whether treatment qualifies for national health insurance. Son's amendment to the Mother and Child Health Act, introduced in March, remains stalled in committee along with a companion bill extending national health insurance coverage for abortion care. The legislative impasse dates back to April 2019, when South Korea's Constitutional Court ruled that blanket criminal punishment for abortion disproportionately infringed women's right to self-determination. The court gave lawmakers until the end of 2020 to devise a replacement framework, but Parliament failed to act, causing the criminal provisions to lapse on Jan. 1, 2021. The result has been an uneasy legal overlap in which criminal penalties disappeared while the country's medical and regulatory systems were never comprehensively updated. Medical evidence versus political deadlock Medical specialists say the debate should be grounded in evidence rather than political rhetoric. Lee Yong Soo, a pharmacology professor at Duksung Women's University, explained that mifepristone blocks progesterone receptors needed to sustain pregnancy, while misoprostol induces uterine contractions to expel pregnancy tissue. Because the medicines are administered only once, prolonged drug toxicity is not the principal concern, Lee said. Greater risks arise from incomplete abortion, excessive bleeding or infection, making proper follow-up care essential. Cho Jung Hwan, professor of pharmacy at Sookmyung Women's University, said neither portraying the regimen as experimental nor describing it as harmless accurately reflects current scientific evidence. Clinical studies cited in U.S. prescribing information show complete termination rates of approximately 96 to 97 percent through 70 days of pregnancy, he said. Around 2.6 to 3.8 percent of patients require surgical intervention because of ongoing pregnancy, incomplete expulsion, bleeding or patient request, while serious adverse reactions occur in fewer than 0.5 percent of cases. He nevertheless stressed that safe introduction would require screening for ectopic pregnancy, assessment of contraindications, informed consent, emergency referral systems and follow-up examinations seven to 14 days after treatment. Any Korean approval, he said, should combine scientific review with quality control, patient counseling, emergency care and clearly defined legal responsibility. That evidence-based middle ground remains largely absent from Korea's illicit market. Na-young, head of the Center for Sexual Rights and Reproductive Justice, or SHARE, said many women, particularly teenagers, continue purchasing abortion pills through unregulated channels without knowing the ingredients or dosage. A five-year regulatory loop Hyundai Pharmaceutical first applied for Korean approval of Mifegymiso in July 2021. The company withdrew the application in late 2022 after the MFDS requested additional safety, efficacy and quality data. It reapplied in December 2024, and the application remains under review. The prolonged process reflects two separate questions. One concerns whether the product satisfies Korean pharmaceutical standards. The other is whether the government is prepared to determine prescription rules before lawmakers agree on a comprehensive abortion framework. Critics of immediate introduction argue that approval alone cannot resolve issues including medical liability, emergency treatment, conscientious objection and protections for minors. Ahn Sang-hoon, a People Power Party lawmaker and former Seoul National University professor, said political hesitation reflects interests extending well beyond medicine. "The reason the South Korean government and political community have been passive on the issue of pregnancy termination is that it is not confined to an area of professional judgment such as medicine, but involves the complex interests of various groups, including religious communities," Ahn told AJP. "This is an issue that requires consideration not only of a specific medication but also of cultural responses, including efforts to promote adoption." Is access a constitutional obligation? Jeff King, professor of law at University College London, said recognition of a protected personal choice does not automatically create a constitutional obligation for governments to provide abortion services. A court could, for example, conclude cannabis use should not be criminalized without requiring governments to facilitate access, he said. The analysis changes, however, if people cannot safely exercise a legally protected choice because the government fails to regulate access to necessary medical treatment. King was more critical of delaying pharmaceutical review solely until lawmakers complete abortion legislation. If regulators do not ordinarily suspend drug reviews because a treatment is politically controversial, withholding a decision on mifepristone could indicate opposition to abortion rather than ordinary pharmaceutical standards, he said. In that case, prolonged delay itself could become vulnerable to constitutional challenge. His analysis broadly aligns with South Korea's National Human Rights Commission, which last year urged the government to integrate abortion care into the public health system, apply national health insurance coverage, train medical professionals and introduce abortion medication as an essential medicine. Other countries separate approval from service rules International experience suggests pharmaceutical approval, abortion law and health-care delivery need not be resolved simultaneously. France approved mifepristone in 1988, the United States in 2000 and Japan in 2023. England and Wales permanently allow eligible patients to receive early medical-abortion medication through teleconsultation and complete treatment at home. The World Health Organization similarly supports self-managed medical abortion before 12 weeks, provided patients have accurate medical information, quality-assured medicines, trained health-care providers and access to emergency treatment when needed. The international record therefore offers little support for either extreme. It does not endorse unrestricted online sales, but neither does it suggest governments must postpone pharmaceutical approval until every legal and ethical question surrounding abortion has been resolved. Two clocks are running The Lee administration now faces two separate timelines. One runs at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, where Hyundai Pharmaceutical's application remains under review. The other runs at the National Assembly, where abortion-law revisions have remained dormant since March. The president's remarks cannot resolve questions over gestational limits, insurance coverage, conscientious objection or medical liability. But they have made one point increasingly difficult for the government to avoid: continued inaction is itself a policy choice. Medical experts broadly agree that authorization must be accompanied by screening, follow-up care and emergency medical support. Lawmakers remain divided over how abortion should ultimately be regulated. The question is no longer whether South Korea can continue postponing a decision. Women seeking abortions have already been absorbing the consequences through uncertain products, high costs and fragmented medical care. The issue now is whether Lee's intervention finally connects decriminalization with a functioning health-care system — or merely opens another chapter in a debate that has already outlasted the law it was meant to replace. 2026-07-21 17:57:28