The ruling reflects a trend toward decriminalizing abortion, as cases of criminal punishment have fallen in recent years
Just eight new cases of illegal abortion were prosecuted in 2017, down from 24 in 2016, judicial data show. Of 14 cases decided in lower courts in 2017, 10 postponed a ruling on condition that no crime be committed for a fixed time.
“I welcome today’s ruling, which made it possible for women like me and my friend to live their lives freely,” added Lee, 27.The abortion ban dates from 1953, and has not changed materially since South Korea first adopted its criminal law after the 1950-1953 Korean War. A 2017 petition urging the presidential Blue House to scrap the law against abortion and allow abortion medication drew more than 230,000 signatures.
The law prescribes jail for up to a year or fines of up to 2 million won for women who undergo abortion.
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