Abortion Question

[Anchor Lead]

The presidential office has offered its official reply to a petition signed by more than 200,000 people to abolish the anti-abortion law. The presidential office said the government would begin collecting public opinion by reinstituting surveys on the matter.

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In its reply to the petition to abolish the anti-abortion law, the presidential office Cheong Wae Dae said that although it recognizes fetal right to life, illegal pregnancy termination practices remain rampant in the nation because of policies that center on punishment. It added that social debate is needed on the issue, as the current law, which subjects those who terminate their pregnancies illegally to less than one year in prison or a two-million-won fine, only applies to women and fails to hold to account men and the government.

[Soundbite] Cho Kuk(Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs) : "We must also discuss the possibility of the infringement of women's rights to life and health. We are at the stage when social debate is needed."

Cheong Wa Dae vowed to resume abortion surveys next year, 8 years after they were suspended in 2010, and review the situation regarding abortions. The presidential office believes that the ongoing review of the anti-abortion law by the Constitutional Court will lay the foundation for collecting public opinion.

[Soundbite] Cho Kuk(Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs) : "We hope that the legislative organs will review this issue, and that the use of drugs inducing abortion will be permitted in line with the outcome of social and judicial debates."

The presidential office has also pledged to devise measures to provide systematic education to teenagers on contraception, professional counseling, and social and financial support for single mothers. The petition to abolish the anti-abortion law was endorsed by some 235,000 people just one month after it was posted on the bulletin board of Cheong Wa Dae back in September. The presidential office added that it is also preparing its reply on the petition to expand funding for regional trauma centers, an issue that drew significant public attention after a North Korean soldier defected to the South via the Joint Security Area. So far, the petition has been supported by some 200,000 people.