South Korea to approve abortion pills for pregnancies up to nine weeks

The South Korean government has announced a plan to permit the use of abortion pills for women up to nine weeks pregnant, with implementation expected by early 2027. The measure follows a 2019 Constitutional Court decision that decriminalized abortion, though legislative progress had been delayed due to political and religious opposition.

The proposed framework involves a phased rollout. For the first two years, the medication—a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol—will be prescribed and dispensed exclusively through hospitals to ensure oversight and patient safety. Once established, the government intends to allow doctors to prescribe the pills for collection at pharmacies.

The announcement has drawn mixed reactions. Gender Equality and Family Minister Won Min-kyong stated the move aims to ensure pregnancy termination is conducted safely within the national healthcare system. Conversely, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea expressed deep concern, arguing the measure institutionalizes abortion without addressing its fundamental nature. Meanwhile, the Korea Women’s Association United has called for the medication to be covered under the national health insurance system.