United Christian Churches of Korea Oppose Introduction of Abortion Drugs: "Establish Legal Standards for Gestational Limits and Safety Management First"

"The Fetus Is a Life Worthy of Dignity and Protection"

Calls for Expanded Support for Women in Crisis Pregnancies, Single-Parent, and Disabled Children’s Families

As the government moves forward with the phased introduction of abortion medication, Protestant organizations have joined the Catholic Church in voicing their opposition. They argue that, before the approval of such pharmaceuticals, there should first be comprehensive legal and systemic reforms encompassing the scope of permissible abortions, safety management, and protections for women facing crisis pregnancies.

On September 17, the United Christian Churches of Korea issued a statement calling for the government to halt its planned “phased introduction of artificial abortion drugs,” saying that the policy “ignores the legal framework of life protection.” The group asserted that “all life is inherently worthy of protection and dignity” and insisted that abortion medications should not be treated merely as matters of medical accessibility and convenience.

The United Christian Churches of Korea especially took issue with gaps in the current legal framework. On August 19, the Ministry of Government Legislation responded to a request from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety by interpreting that, under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, import approval for abortion drugs should be granted if requirements such as safety and efficacy are met. Subsequently, on September 16, the government announced a plan for the phased introduction of abortion medication at the State Policy Coordination Meeting.

The group called on the National Assembly to first establish legal standards, including gestational limits and grounds and procedures for abortion, as well as requirements covering counseling, reflection periods, protections for minors and vulnerable women, medical safety management and emergency response, and all aspects from prescription and administration of medication to post-care. In addition, the group urged the government and National Assembly to expand support for women in crisis pregnancies, single mothers, single-parent families, and families with children with disabilities.

The group also raised concerns about drug safety. Citing the fact that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration operates a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for mifepristone, the United Christian Churches of Korea emphasized the necessity of an emergency treatment and surgical referral system within medical institutions. These were presented as the group's rationale and argument.

In response, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated that the abortion medication currently under review has been applied for use within 63 days of pregnancy, i.e., up to 9 weeks, and that it will evaluate safety, effectiveness, quality, and risk management plans.

The government plans to require that physicians directly prescribe and dispense the medication at medical institutions for the initial two years. After reviewing side effects and safety, the rollout will be gradually expanded. The stated purpose of the introduction is for the national healthcare system to manage drugs that currently circulate covertly, thereby protecting women's safety and health rights.

Oh Yoo-kyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, stated at the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee that no separate local bridging clinical trial had been conducted for Korean women. She explained that, based on extensive overseas experience and expert consultation, it was determined that a separate local trial is unnecessary.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea also voiced opposition to the government’s plan the previous day. The Conference stated that introducing abortion medication could institutionalize abortion and urged the government to reconsider.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.