The government is moving to gradually introduce abortion medication for women under nine weeks pregnant. For the first two years, prescriptions and dispensing will be handled by hospitals, with plans to expand to pharmacies once the necessary conditions are met.
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook stated during the 14th National Policy Coordination Meeting at the Government Seoul Complex on September 16 that the introduction of abortion medication, commonly known as 'Mifeprex,' is necessary due to the ongoing institutional gap since the Constitutional Court's ruling on the unconstitutionality of the abortion law in 2019, which has led some women to rely on dangerous methods.
Han emphasized, "Allowing the issue to remain unresolved amid the ongoing debate ultimately neglects the lives and safety of the public. The government has been coordinating with relevant ministries and experts to develop feasible alternatives to address this issue."
According to the government's plan, abortion medication will be introduced for women under nine weeks pregnant, with the initial two years involving both prescription and dispensing at medical institutions. After that, once safety management systems and other necessary conditions are established, the process will shift to prescriptions by doctors and dispensing at pharmacies. Legislative measures and related system adjustments will also be pursued.
Han stressed that "the most important thing is safety," stating that women in need should not have to rely on unverified methods but should receive care within a safe medical system.
She added, "This measure is not intended to promote abortion but to protect public health. We take concerns about the value of life very seriously." The government plans to gather additional opinions from various sectors and enhance safety measures, including responses to adverse reactions and medication management.
During the meeting, safety management measures for the upcoming Chuseok holiday were also discussed. The government will check for risks in various sectors and operate a 24-hour situation management system during the holiday period. Considering the increase in single-person households not returning home, patrols and security activities will be strengthened in areas where they are concentrated.
Efforts are being made to expedite recovery in areas affected by recent heavy rainfall, while also conducting focused inspections in landslide-prone areas weakened by repeated downpours and regions at risk of human casualties.
Special quarantine measures for livestock infectious diseases during the winter have also been prepared. To prepare for the spread of avian influenza, a pre-registration system for vehicles and personnel will be implemented, particularly for large farms that significantly impact egg supply. Starting next year, artificial intelligence (AI) technology will be introduced for farm biosecurity, and plans are underway to vaccinate against new strains of foot-and-mouth disease before they enter the country.
Han concluded, "The public remembers results more than measures. We must listen to voices from the field to prevent the same issues from recurring or new gaps from emerging, and ensure that necessary information is adequately communicated to the public."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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