Key facts
- President Lee Jae Myung instructed the government to find ways to allow women to safely take the abortion pill mifepristone.
- The directive aims to address domestic restrictions and health risks associated with women purchasing the pill from overseas.
- Lee emphasized a pragmatic approach, stating that leaving the issue unaddressed would be irresponsible.
- He suggested granting doctors discretion in prescribing the pill as an alternative to indiscriminate overseas purchases.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has directed the government to investigate methods for ensuring women can safely access the abortion pill mifepristone, even in the absence of a fully established legal framework. During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lee highlighted that South Korean women are resorting to purchasing the pill from overseas to circumvent domestic restrictions, thereby risking their health.
"Even if it causes some difficulties to the government, we have to allow them to take it appropriately," Lee stated at the meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae. While abortion is not illegal in South Korea, the specific legal guidelines regarding gestational limits and procedures are still pending.
President Lee urged a pragmatic perspective on the issue, asserting that failing to address it would be an "irresponsible" stance for the government. He also proposed empowering doctors with the discretion to prescribe the pill, presenting this as a preferable alternative to women obtaining it indiscriminately from abroad.