A South Korean vlogger is under investigation for murder after claiming she aborted her pregnancy at 36 weeks, an act that has shocked the nation. The woman posted a video on YouTube detailing her experience, prompting a police investigation at the request of the South Korean government. Despite global norms restricting abortions after 24 weeks, South Korea lacks any abortion laws since the 2019 repeal of its previous ban, creating a legal vacuum that has left doctors and patients in uncertainty.
The decriminalization of abortion in 2019 was seen as a victory for reproductive rights, but the failure of the National Assembly to pass new abortion legislation has led to widespread confusion. Women’s rights organizations in South Korea are criticizing the government, stating that the lack of regulation exposes women to unsafe practices while stifling access to safe abortions.
Historically, abortion was heavily restricted in South Korea, with criminal penalties for both doctors and women. However, with the government failing to enact new laws by the 2020 deadline, abortion effectively became legal at any stage of pregnancy. While this development was celebrated by reproductive rights advocates, the absence of clear policies continues to create risks for women, as seen in the current case. In a country still dominated by conservative attitudes, the debate over abortion remains divisive, with religious groups playing a powerful role in stalling legislative progress.