Food and drug safety ministry moves to formally introduce abortion pills

The food and drug safety ministry said Wednesday it will formally introduce abortion pills into the national healthcare system to protect women's health and safety.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the food and drug safety ministry reported the plan at the 14th National Policy Coordination Meeting held at the Government Seoul Complex on the 16th. The initiative follows a July directive from President Lee Jae-myung to review the feasibility of allowing such medication and addresses a legislative void persisting since the Constitutional Court ruled the abortion ban unconstitutional in April 2019.

Officials highlighted that delays in introducing approved medication have led to health risks due to unverified drugs. Women currently face restricted rights to choose between surgical procedures and medication, while delays in access have increased socioeconomic burdens. Formalizing the system would allow the government to track usage patterns and ensure safe administration and post-care management.

Under the proposed framework, any imported abortion medication under review would be indicated for use within 63 days, or nine weeks, of pregnancy. The food and drug safety ministry pledged to thoroughly examine all application data to secure safety, efficacy and quality before granting approval.

To manage the initial rollout, the government plans to enforce a protocol for two years requiring direct prescription and dispensing by doctors within medical institutions. Authorities intend to review options for gradual expansion only after assessing side effects and safety data collected during this introductory period.

Oh Yoo-kyung, commissioner of the food and drug safety ministry, said the agency would prioritize public safety by rigorously reviewing all application materials submitted by those seeking permission to import the drugs. "We will make every effort to create safe conditions for the use of abortion medication following its approval," said Chung Eun-kyung, minister of health and welfare.

Won Min-kyung, minister of gender equality and family, noted that pregnancy and childbirth are decisions with major impacts on women's lives, yet institutional gaps have previously failed to guarantee individual rights to safe medical access. She expressed hope that the announcement would facilitate safer procedures within the national healthcare system and alleviate the burden on women facing unavoidable socioeconomic circumstances.