Prime Minister Han Sung-sook: "Discussing Phased Introduction of Abortion Pills for Pregnancies Up to 9 Weeks"

Prime Minister Han Sung-sook stated on September 16 regarding the introduction of the abortion pill Mifegyne, "We intend to discuss a phased introduction of medical abortion pills for pregnancies of 9 weeks or less."

Prime Minister Han made the remarks during her opening statement at the National Policy Coordination Meeting held at the Government Complex.

Prime Minister Han emphasized, "If it is an issue that has long remained unresolved, we must find solutions suited to today's reality, and even for matters that repeat every year, we must find ways to progress further than last year. Especially when it comes to public health and safety, we must not act only after a problem has already occurred."

She continued, "It is a reality that the institutional vacuum following the Constitutional Court's 2019 ruling of non-conformity to the Constitution regarding the crime of abortion has led some women to resort to hazardous methods. We can no longer leave this problem neglected amidst debates over pros and cons."

She further explained, "Consequently, this means overlooking the lives and safety of our citizens. As the President also mentioned last July, it has become imperative to devise safe and realistic solutions."

Prime Minister Han added, specific measures are being prepared such that "for the initial two years, prescriptions and dispensing will be handled together at medical institutions, and thereafter, once general conditions are met, the system will expand to transition into a format of doctor prescriptions and pharmacy dispensing."

She ordered, "We will also proceed without a hitch with the necessary legislation and institutional arrangements. Above all, safety is paramount. We must devise measures so that women in need can receive treatment within a safe medical system rather than relying on unverified methods."

Addressing opposition to the introduction, Prime Minister Han urged, "We take concerns regarding the value of life heavily as well. This measure is not a recommendation for artificial termination of pregnancy, but rather to protect public health. I ask for a broad understanding of this intent."

Prime Minister Han went on to emphasize, "Next week, the Chuseok holiday begins. Although we implement safety management measures every Chuseok, this is the time to examine whether there are changing conditions and new threats."

She explained, "The government will proactively inspect major risk factors across various sectors and operate a 24-hour emergency monitoring system during the holiday period. We will also strengthen patrols and policing activities in areas densely populated by single-person households who do not return to their hometowns."

Furthermore, Prime Minister Han announced plans to preemptively push forward special quarantine measures against winter livestock infectious diseases, stating, "We will implement a pre-registration system for entering vehicles and personnel, focusing on large-scale farms that have a significant impact on the supply of eggs and other goods, and introduce artificial intelligence technology to farm quarantine starting next year."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.