South Korea’s planned abortion pill rollout is drawing a dispute over who may prescribe and dispense it. The government has proposed use within nine weeks of pregnancy and joint prescribing and dispensing by medical institutions during the first two years, while obstetricians say specialist checks are needed to identify gestational age and monitor bleeding or incomplete miscarriage.
Women’s groups warn that restricting access to obstetricians could exclude residents in areas without such clinics, and they support allowing trained doctors in other specialties or designated facilities. The price has been reported at about 350,000 won before examination costs, while insurance coverage and the legal framework for abortion remain unresolved.