(LEAD) Gov't announces plans to formally introduce abortion pills

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SEOUL, Sept. 16 (Yonhap) -- The government on Wednesday announced plans to formally allow the use of abortion pills by women up to nine weeks pregnant, as related regulations remain unrevised following the Constitutional Court's 2019 striking down of the abortion ban.

The ministries of gender equality, health and food and drug safety reported the plans at a government policy coordination meeting, noting the institutional vacuum has created risks to women's health and safety.

Under the plan, abortion pills will be introduced in phases, with both prescription and dispensing taking place directly at hospitals for the first two years.

Gender Equality Minister Won Min-kyong enters a government policy coordination meeting at the government complex in Seoul on Sept. 16, 2026. (Yonhap)

When necessary conditions are fulfilled, the system will shift to doctors prescribing and pharmacies dispensing.

The food and drug safety ministry said it has received applications for approval of abortion pills for use by women up to nine weeks pregnant and that it will vet their safety and quality before proceeding.

Some women are resorting to "dangerous methods" and the problem should no longer be left unattended because it amounts to neglecting the people's lives and safety, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said during the meeting.

"Safety is more important than anything else," she said. "We must come up with measures to help women in need to receive treatment within the safe medical system, rather than having to rely on unverified methods."

Han said the government is seriously taking "concerns regarding the value of life" too.

"This measure is aimed at protecting the people's health rather than encouraging abortion. We ask for your broad understanding of this intent," she said.

The formal introduction of abortion pills is one of the administrative tasks set by the Lee Jae Myung government. The initiative got a boost after Lee instructed the government in July to look into ways to allow women to safely take abortion pills even before the necessary legal framework is in place.

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook speaks during a government policy coordination meeting at the government complex in Seoul on Sept. 16, 2026. (Yonhap)

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(LEAD) Gov't announces plans to formally introduce abortion pills

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首尔，9月16日（韩联社）——韩国政府周三宣布计划正式允许怀孕九周以内的女性使用堕胎药，此前宪法法院在2019年推翻堕胎禁令后，相关法规仍未修订。

性别平等部、卫生部和食品药品安全部在政府政策协调会议上报告了这些计划，并指出制度真空给妇女的健康和安全带来了风险。

根据该计划，堕胎药将分阶段引入，前两年处方和配药都将在医院直接进行。

2026年9月16日，性别平等部长官元珉京在首尔政府大楼参加政府政策协调会议。（韩联社）

当必要条件满足时，系统将转变为医生开处方、药房配药。

食品药品安全部表示，已收到批准怀孕九周以内女性使用的堕胎药的申请，并将对其安全性和质量进行审查后再做决定。

韩国总理韩成淑在会议上表示，一些女性正在诉诸“危险手段”，这个问题不应再被忽视，因为这等同于漠视人民的生命安全。

“安全比什么都重要，”她说。“我们必须采取措施，帮助有需要的女性在安全的医疗体系内接受治疗，而不是依赖未经证实的方法。”

韩表示，政府也高度重视“对生命价值的关切”。

“这项措施旨在保护人民健康，而不是鼓励堕胎。我们希望大家能够充分理解这一意图。”她说道。

正式引入堕胎药是李在明政府设定的行政任务之一。今年7月，李在明指示政府研究如何在必要的法律框架尚未完善的情况下，让女性能够安全服用堕胎药，此举推动了该项工作的进展。

2026年9月16日，韩国总理韩圣淑在首尔政府大楼举行的政府政策协调会议上发表讲话。（韩联社）

李说，女性应该能够安全地服用堕胎药。

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（导语）政府宣布计划正式引入堕胎药