Women's rights groups call for complete abolishment of anti-abortion law

Members of the Joint Action for Reproductive Justice hold a press conference on Monday urging the government to completely abolish anti-abortion laws, in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul. / Yonhap

By Lee Hyo-jin

Women's rights activists are urging the government to take swift action to revise current laws to ensure the complete decriminalization of abortion, regardless of the length of pregnancy.

The country's 67-year-old Anti-abortion Law was declared unconstitutional by a landmark ruling of the Constitutional Court in April last year, which stated that banning abortion in the early stages of pregnancy was a violation of the right to self-determination.

In line with the ruling, the court left lawmakers to decide how to legally define the “early stages of pregnancy” when they amend the related law by Dec. 31 this year.

The activists held various campaigns both online and offline Monday, marking the annual International Safe Abortion Day, which falls Sept. 28.

The Joint Action for Reproductive Justice (Joint Action), consisting of more than 20 feminist organizations, held a press conference in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, denouncing the government's recent decision to partially allow abortions in the early stages of pregnancy.

“The government is retrogressing on the Constitutional Court's ruling last year which declared the Anti-abortion Law unconstitutional,” said Na Young, head of Joint Action.

“We are not asking for state permission in making our own choices. We demand feasible action from the government to prevent unwanted pregnancy and reduce abortion cases through supportive measures,” she added.

Korea Womenlink, one of the largest feminist groups here, released a declaration of 100 activists demanding the government recognize the sexual and reproductive rights of women.

“No women must be punished for undergoing an abortion. Instead, the government must establish a supportive medical system and expand access to safe and legal abortion for all women,” read the statement.

Pro-choice supporters also participated in a public campaign held online through social media channels. Internet users tagged the Cheong Wa Dae official account in tweets with hashtags that translate to “abolish the abortion ban,” “abortion is healthcare” and “Let our voices be heard.”

With less than 100 days left until the deadline, the authorities have recently announced tentative plans to submit revision bills to the National Assembly by the end of October, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Unlike many pro-choice supporters' expectations that the bills will completely legalize abortion, the government is seeking to partially allow the practice for women in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.

Activists denounced the plans as abortion will still be described as a crime, leaving room for legal punishment. They also oppose to the setting the length of pregnancy as a standard to determine whether it is possible terminate a pregnancy.

Heated debates are expected to continue for the next three months, as the current Anti-abortion Law will become null if the lawmakers fail to pass the revision bills by the end of the year.

Under the current law, a woman who has an abortion can face imprisonment of up to one year or fine of up to two million won ($1,704). Doctors who perform the operation can receive a prison sentence of up to two years.

Abortions are only allowed in exceptional cases involving rape or health risks to the pregnant woman.