Key facts
- The South Korean Catholic Church expressed "deep concerns" over government plans to introduce abortion pills.
- The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK) urged reconsideration of the plan.
- The government plans to allow abortion pills for pregnancies up to nine weeks.
- The CBCK stated the measure would institutionalize abortion and deepen disregard for life.
- The CBCK asked the government to build a social safety net to help women, including housing and medical support.
- The government's plan follows the Constitutional Court's 2019 striking down of the abortion ban.
The South Korean Catholic Church has expressed "deep concerns" over the government's plan to formally introduce abortion pills, urging for a reconsideration of the measure. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK) stated that the plan would institutionalize abortion in an "orderly" manner without changing its fundamental nature, potentially leading to a deeper disregard for life in society.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the CBCK argued that a society truly respecting humans should support women so they do not have to give up new life, rather than eliminating the most vulnerable. The organization requested the government establish a stronger social safety net to assist women, including housing and medical support, counseling services, and reinforcing men's legal responsibility. The CBCK asked the government and the National Assembly to "deeply contemplate" and choose a path that protects life while practically aiding women.
The government's phased introduction of abortion pills comes after related regulations remained unchanged following the Constitutional Court's 2019 decision to strike down the abortion ban.