Seoul - A South Korean vlogger, who claimed to have terminated her pregnancy at 36 weeks, is being investigated for murder, sparking horror across the nation and raising urgent questions about the lack of abortion laws in the country. The case highlights the grim reality of South Korea’s current legal vacuum, where, for nearly four years, there have been no laws regulating abortion.

The Seoul National Police began their investigation into the woman in July, following a government request after she posted a video to YouTube purportedly documenting her experience. The woman is accused of undergoing an abortion far beyond what is typically permitted in many countries, where terminations after 24 weeks are generally banned, except in extreme cases involving severe fetal abnormalities or risks to the mother's health.

South Korea, however, stands in stark contrast. Since 2020, when criminal provisions around abortion expired, there have been no clear regulations governing the procedure. This policy void has led to increasing concerns over potential malpractice, the devaluation of life, and the safety of women who may find themselves navigating a medical landscape with little oversight.

The case of this vlogger has once again brought the troubling reality of abortion in South Korea into the spotlight. For decades, abortion was heavily restricted, with severe penalties for both women and doctors. However, in 2019, South Korea’s Constitutional Court overturned the long-standing abortion ban and gave the National Assembly until the end of 2020 to pass new legislation—laws that never came.

Since then, abortion has been effectively legal at any stage of pregnancy. Without clear regulations, late-term abortions like the one in question have become a possibility, creating a situation where even fully formed, viable babies could be aborted without consequence.

Cho Hee-kyoung, a law professor at Hongik University, expressed concern over this legal gap, noting that, “If there is no law criminalizing a conduct, then there is no crime for carrying out that conduct.” While abortion advocates have celebrated the decriminalization, the lack of safeguards has raised deep moral questions, especially in cases where unborn children are aborted at advanced stages of development.

A Nation Divided
This case has also highlighted deep divisions within South Korean society. A coalition of 11 women’s organizations and NGOs has criticized the government’s actions, accusing it of persecuting women rather than improving access to healthcare. In a joint statement, they called the investigation a “serious attempt to evade responsibility” and demanded that abortion be classified as a health right.

Yet, the moral and ethical implications of abortion at such a late stage cannot be ignored. Unborn children, who at 36 weeks are capable of surviving outside the womb, are being terminated without legal protection. This has ignited a wave of shock and outrage among pro-life advocates who believe that the dignity of life must be upheld.

South Korea’s Ministry of Justice issued a statement in June, acknowledging the need to address both the right to life of the unborn child and the pregnant woman's rights. However, no concrete steps have been taken to resolve the legal ambiguity, leaving both mothers and unborn babies in a precarious situation.

For years, South Korea enforced strict abortion laws, but in recent decades, the government’s emphasis on family planning and controlling population growth led to the normalization of abortion as a means of birth control. However, the country is now facing a demographic crisis, with a fertility rate of just 0.72 children per woman, far below what is needed to sustain the population.

This crisis has reignited public debate on the role of abortion in a country where traditional gender norms still dominate and women are seen as primary caretakers. South Korea’s rapidly aging population and economic stagnation are further complicating the issue, as policymakers grapple with how to encourage childbearing without addressing the root moral and societal issues tied to abortion.

While abortion rates have reportedly declined in recent years, pro-life advocates argue that the absence of regulation has left vulnerable lives unprotected. As pro-life groups continue to push for policies that recognize the inherent dignity of the unborn child, they are met with strong resistance from organizations advocating for unrestricted abortion rights.

A Tragic Situation and a Call for Change
The case of the South Korean vlogger and her alleged late-term abortion is a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of protecting the most vulnerable members of society—unborn children. It is a call for the government to take immediate action to establish clear abortion laws that prioritize the sanctity of life and offer true support to women facing difficult pregnancies.

South Korea now stands at a crossroads. The lack of legislation has created an environment where both women and doctors are left in a state of legal and moral uncertainty. Pro-life advocates argue that any future laws must reflect the value of life at all stages and provide compassionate care to both mothers and their unborn children.

This case is not merely about one woman’s experience; it is about the dignity of human life and the urgent need for laws that protect the innocent and offer real support to those in need. Without swift action, South Korea risks allowing more tragic cases like this one to continue unaddressed, leaving a society increasingly disconnected from the value of life.