Lack of a specific legal framework for abortion has made it a grey area after Korea’s Constitutional Court struck down the abortion ban in 2019, with a date of effect of 2021
President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a Cabinet meeting on July 14, 2026. (pool photo)
President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called the government “irresponsible” for its inaction on making the abortion pill available in Korea even after the Constitutional Court struck down the country’s abortion ban over five years ago, ordering relevant agencies to come up with practical ways of addressing the issue. “It seems as though women are taking [pills] that they get shipped in from abroad because we haven’t authorized them for use,” the president said during a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House that day, noting that this has opened up women to health risks. The president then suggested that the government should ensure that those who need the abortion pill are able to “reasonably access” the pill for use, even if doing so poses challenges for the government. Noting that approval of the abortion pill has been linked to broader discussions about defining the legal limits of abortion, the president said that “turning every issue into a matter of principle is a good way to ensure nothing gets done.” “There’s a possibility that we keep discussing this issue and it still doesn’t get solved before I leave office,” he said. “In principle, it’s only right to determine the authorized timeframe for abortion, and allow doctors to prescribe [the pill] within that period,” Lee said. “Women who actually need [the pill] are being left in the lurch in a legal gray area and end up buying drugs from abroad without any oversight. By shirking its responsibility, the government is putting Koreans at risk.” The president signaled that the government could also consider measures that would allow physicians to exercise discretion when prescribing the abortion pill. “I think there’s a way in which we allow physicians to determine whether to prescribe [abortion pills] at their discretion, even before we come up with legislation,” Lee said. “It might not be perfect, but it’s better than doing nothing at all.” Lee ordered Prime Minister Han Seong-sook to coordinate related agencies on the matter. “I hope we can arrive at a balanced compromise,” he said. “I don’t think this is something we can just overlook.” By Seo Young-ji, staff reporter Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]
