[2026 Parliamentary Audit] 'Mifepristone Introduction' Dispute... Opposition: "Policy Ordered From Above" vs. Ruling Party: "We've Already Been Preparing for This"

The ruling and opposition parties clashed on Tuesday over the introduction of mifepristone, an abortion medication.

Lee Man-hee, a People Power Party lawmaker. Yonhap News.

Lee Man-hee, chair of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee and a People Power Party lawmaker, said during the committee's comprehensive audit that day, addressing Health and Welfare Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong, "This is not about saying we should not introduce it. Because it concerns the lives and health of the people, we should proceed carefully." He added, "When President Lee Jae-myung, who is at the presidential office, says something, don't we just rush to follow his lead?"

Lee Soo-jin, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker, countered, "You said the government acts on a word from President Lee, but since the bill was introduced, we have been asking the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to prepare measures for nearly two years." She added, "Lawmakers have consistently made these requests, and the government prepared its response to them."

Lee Dal-hee, a People Power Party lawmaker, criticized the proposal, saying, "Many lawmakers are raising their voices because I brought up 'policy ordered from above,' but shouldn't we amend the Criminal Procedure Act and the Mother and Child Health Act before selling the medication so that it can be used safely?" So Byeong-hun, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker, countered, "I am older than the president or the prime minister. I would appreciate it if you would at least refrain from saying things like 'This was ordered from above' or 'We are doing as we were told.'"

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