President Lee Calls for Legalization of Abortion Pill Mifepristone

President Lee Jae-myung on July 14 criticized the government's approach to the abortion pill mifepristone, stating that its current prohibition is irresponsible and dangerous. "I think it's irresponsible for the government to leave it like this, even if it's difficult," Lee said during a State Council meeting at the Blue House.

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I think it's irresponsible for the government to leave it like this, even if it's difficult.

Mifepristone, an oral medication used for early-term abortions, is legally available in over 100 countries and was designated an essential medicine by the WHO in 2005. However, it remains unavailable for legal purchase in South Korea. Lee noted that women are resorting to purchasing the drug through overseas direct purchases, leading to accidents due to the lack of legal access.

"While the debate over the scope of abortion legalization remains unresolved, mifepristone is not permitted, causing women who need it to obtain it through overseas direct purchases, leading to accidents," Lee pointed out. He questioned why the drug cannot be used safely, even before amendments to the Mother and Child Health Act are made. "Leaving it outside the law while everyone else is using it, the government may evade responsibility, but the people are put in danger," he added.

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While the debate over the scope of abortion legalization remains unresolved, mifepristone is not permitted, causing women who need it to obtain it through overseas direct purchases, leading to accidents.

The president expressed regret over the ongoing debate surrounding the permissible gestational weeks for abortions. He suggested that even before a definitive legal framework is established, doctors could be granted discretion to determine prescriptions, or the drug could be made available. "It's not something that should take my entire term to resolve," Lee stated, emphasizing that doctors, who make life-and-death decisions, should be entrusted with determining the appropriateness of prescriptions. He questioned the certainty of strict week-based legal limits.

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Leaving it outside the law while everyone else is using it, the government may evade responsibility, but the people are put in danger.

Lee also proposed considering a system where doctors have the discretion to decide on prescriptions. "Even before alternative legislation is prepared, there could be a way to allow doctors to decide on prescription issuance," he said. "Isn't it better than leaving it unattended, despite its imperfections?" Prime Minister Han Duck-soo responded by suggesting that the issue, being highly sensitive, requires further discussion among relevant ministries to find a compromise solution.

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Even before alternative legislation is prepared, there could be a way to allow doctors to decide on prescription issuance.