4 March 2026
Amnesty International
Responding to today’s conviction of a woman who had an abortion later in pregnancy, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director Sarah Brooks said:
“Abortion is essential healthcare and a human right under international human rights law and standards – it is not a crime. Today’s ruling highlights the impossible position pregnant people and medical providers are placed in due to the ongoing legal vacuum surrounding abortion in South Korea.
Jan. 27, 2026
Shin Ji-hye
Prosecutors have sought prison terms for a woman who underwent an abortion at around 36 weeks of pregnancy as well as for the doctor who performed the procedure and the hospital director involved, local media reported Monday.
At a hearing held Monday at the Seoul Central District Court, prosecutors requested a 10-year prison sentence for the 81-year-old hospital director surnamed Yoon, along with a fine of 5 million won ($3,456) and criminal forfeiture of 1.15 billion won. They sought six-year prison terms for the 26-year-old patient surnamed Kwon and for the doctor, 61, surnamed Shim. All three are charged with murder.
Continued: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10663768
Jan. 20, 2026
Lim Jae-seong
Debate is intensifying over abortion limits in South Korea, as lawmakers move to address a legal vacuum that has persisted since the Constitutional Court struck down the country’s abortion crime provision.
Although the court ruled that a blanket criminal ban was unconstitutional, the National Assembly has yet to pass follow-up legislation, leaving the practice decriminalized but largely unregulated for nearly seven years.
Continued: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10659212
Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong explores options for safe abortion practices and regulatory reforms in Korea
By Heo Ji-yoon
2025.08.27
Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong emphasized the need to address the legal void regarding abortion laws and stated that she would consider introducing abortion (termination) medication.
On the 27th, Minister Jeong responded to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Jo Bae-suk regarding abortion laws at the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts, saying, "Since the constitutional incompatibility decision, the Criminal Act and the Mother and Child Health Act have not been amended, leading to safety issues."
https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-science/2025/08/27/BHL7ASQCRVG6XMTT5K3GTKRZAI/
Kim Chan-hyuk
Published 2021.07.12
Hyundai Pharm recently applied for marketing approval for Mifegymiso, an abortion pill, but the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) remained passive to accelerate the review process.
Industry watchers are questioning why the regulator has reversed its stance after promising accelerated approval for the drug.
Continued: http://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=11609
Updated: 2020-10-15
The clash between the right to choose and right to life continues here in South Korea. The constitutional court's historic ruling last year that abortions should not be criminalized didn't end the contentious debate.
Under the ruling, the country has until the end of 2020 to revise its 1953 law on terminating pregnancies. The government has introduced an amendment that doesn't repeal the ban on abortion completely, but revises parts of the Criminal Act and the Mother and Child Health Act to allow terminations up to 14 weeks, and up to 24 weeks provided that there are medical or socio-economic reasons approved by the doctor.
Continued: http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=266309
Conservatives and religious groups are facing off with women's rights organizations in a fierce debate over changes to a 1953 law that makes abortion illegal.
13.10.2020
Julian Ryall
The South Korean government has announced plans to reverse the blanket ban on abortions that was imposed in 1953 and revise the law to permit a termination before the 14th week of a pregnancy. The proposed changes have been strongly criticized by both sides of the argument.
Last week, the government announced that it will alter sections of both the Criminal Act and the Mother and Child Health Act that refer to abortion. The changes will also allow abortions up to a maximum of 24 weeks for women with extenuating medical or economic circumstances, if a genetic disorder is identified in the baby or if they have been the victim of a rape.
Continued: https://www.dw.com/en/south-korea-abortion-controversy/a-55253968
2020-10-06
The government will propose revisions to the existing laws to allow abortion until the 14th week of pregnancy, judicial sources said Tuesday.
They said the justice ministry will announce its plan to revise the Criminal Act and the Mother and Child Health Act on Wednesday as a follow-up to a Constitutional Court ruling in April last year.
Continued: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2020/10/113_297111.html
Addressing stigma while moving a national campaign: Spotlight on South Korea
Posted June 18, 2019
by inroads Comms, with Na Young
In this article, inroads member, Na Young, of the The Sexual and Reproductive Rights Forum and the Joint Action for Reproductive Justice in South Korea shares with us in detail what it took to generate a people’s movement to get rid of an anti-abortion law and the stigma-busting that is still ongoing.
1) How has abortion stigma shown up around the law historically in Korea?
Anti-abortion law was first made in Korea during the Japanese occupation. After Independence and the Korean War, the first assembly decided to keep the punishment clauses on abortion made by the Japanese government. According to this law, women who get an abortion can spend up to a year in prison or be fined up to 2 million won (about 1,850 dollars). Doctors, midwives and any healthcare workers who provide abortions can face up to two years in prison.
Abortion ban on Constitutional Court’s review in 6 years
By Choi Gwang-seok
Published 2018.05.25
Six years after upholding abortion ban, the Constitutional Court is reviewing whether or not abortion should be decriminalized.
In August 2012, the court’s four judges out of the eight-judge panel voted to keep the ban. The other four voted to overturn it. The panel failed to get six votes in favor of overturning it, which led to the conclusion that abortion would be illegal in Korea.
Continued: http://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=3366
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