Key facts
- South Korea's government will consider allowing the use of abortion pills for women up to nine weeks pregnant.
- Prime Minister Han Seong-sook stated the measure aims to protect public health and safety.
- The plan involves a phased introduction, starting with hospital-based prescription and dispensing.
- The Constitutional Court struck down the abortion ban in 2019.
South Korea's government is considering the introduction of abortion pills for women up to nine weeks pregnant, according to Prime Minister Han Seong-sook. The announcement on September 16, 2026, follows the Constitutional Court's 2019 decision to strike down the abortion ban, which has left related regulations unrevised. Han highlighted the need to address the issue due to women resorting to "dangerous methods" and the government's responsibility to ensure people's lives and safety. She stated that the initial phase would involve prescription and dispensing directly at hospitals for the first two years, with a subsequent transition to a system where doctors prescribe and pharmacies dispense, provided necessary conditions are met. Han stressed that safety is paramount and the measure is intended to help women access treatment within a safe medical system, rather than encouraging abortion. The government also acknowledged concerns regarding the "value of life" and asked for broad understanding of the intent behind the proposed policy.