The Constitutional Court of Korea ruled the abortion ban as unconstitutional on April 11, 2019. As a result, it was decided that Korea’s 66-year-old abortion ban must be revised by December 31, 2020. Pregnancy and childbirth are both important issues that can have a significant impact on women’s lives. Meanwhile, abortion has remained as a hot issue for a long time. Even on the final day of the trial, many conservatives protested in front of the court. But judges ruled the ban as unconstitutional concluding that it violates a pregnant woman’s right to self-determination.

Hwang In-woo, the Vice President of ‘Woldam’, Hanyang University ERICA Campus’ Feminism club, pointed out: “In the past, society forced women to bear all the burden of birth. In the end, the number of efforts and sacrifice by women made big progress.”

A deadline for the revision is set, since its provision does not conform to the constitution. Societal
confusion could occur due to legal loopholes caused by its inconsistency. The Constitutional Court is revising the law, so the current law is still in effect until December 31, 2020. If the law is not revised by the year after, the court ruling will be void and the abortion ban will prevail.