Abortion Laws in South Korea: What Foreigners Need to Know in 2025

1. Legal Status and Decriminalization

As of January 1, 2021, South Korea officially decriminalized abortion after the Constitutional Court ruled the previous criminal ban unconstitutional. Since that ruling, there are no criminal penalties for women who undergo abortions or for medical professionals who provide them.

However, South Korea has not yet passed comprehensive legislation to regulate abortion access. This means that while abortion is not illegal, there are still gaps in policy, leading to confusion or hesitation among some healthcare providers.

2. Gestational Limits

Currently, South Korea does not have a legally enforced gestational limit for abortion. However, proposed legislation in 2020 suggested allowing abortion on request up to 14 weeks and under specific conditions up to 24 weeks, including rape, incest, risk to the mother’s health, or fetal abnormalities. These proposals have not been enacted but may still influence how individual clinics provide services.

In practice, many clinics may offer abortion services only within the first trimester, even though no legal limit exists at this time.

3. Consent and Age Requirements

Spousal consent is no longer required for abortion. Previously, a husband’s approval was needed, but this is no longer the case under current law.

The age of medical consent in Korea is generally 16 years old (based on international age standards). Individuals 16 or older can usually make independent medical decisions, including abortion. However, minors under 16 may still need parental or guardian consent, depending on the clinic’s policy.

4. Access and Availability

Although abortion is legal, access remains uneven across the country. Some clinics are reluctant to offer abortion services due to personal or institutional beliefs, or confusion over the lack of formal legislation.

Major cities like Seoul, especially neighborhoods such as Gangnam or Hongdae, are more likely to have clinics that provide abortion services. Rural areas may offer fewer options. International residents and visitors should look for clinics that advertise English-speaking staff and foreigner-friendly services.

5. Types of Abortion and Costs

There are two main types of abortion available in Korea:

• Medical abortion (abortion pill): Often used up to 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy. Not all clinics offer this option due to regulatory uncertainty around approved medications.
• Surgical abortion: Typically used from 6 to 14 weeks, or longer depending on clinic policy. Procedures are performed in private clinics or women’s hospitals.

Abortion services are not covered by Korea’s National Health Insurance. Patients must pay out of pocket. Costs range from approximately 300,000 to 1,000,000 KRW, depending on the clinic, procedure type, and gestational age.

6. Counseling and Support Services

Despite decriminalization, there is still a lack of comprehensive public services for abortion counseling and follow-up care. Mental health support and nonjudgmental counseling services are not consistently available in hospitals or clinics.

Some private clinics offer post-abortion care, but access to multilingual support remains limited. Advocacy groups continue to push for better government support, clearer medical guidelines, and improved patient resources.

7. For Foreigners: Key Takeaways

Abortion is legal in South Korea, and there are no criminal penalties for women or medical providers as of 2021. However, because new laws have not been passed, the system still operates under interim guidelines.

Currently, there is no official gestational limit written into law. That said, many clinics still follow the proposed limits from the 2020 legislative draft, which allowed abortions up to 14 weeks and under certain conditions up to 24 weeks. As a result, some clinics may impose their own limits based on those proposals.

Foreigners in Korea should look for clinics with English-speaking staff and a strong commitment to patient privacy, especially in cities like Seoul and Busan. Since abortion is not covered by national health insurance, patients should expect to pay out of pocket. Costs typically range from a few hundred thousand Korean won, depending on the clinic and type of procedure.

In terms of age and consent, individuals aged 16 and older can usually make independent medical decisions, including abortion. However, minors under 16 may still require parental or guardian involvement, depending on the clinic’s policies.

Final Thoughts

South Korea’s abortion laws have undergone major change, but the lack of finalized legislation means that access can still vary depending on where you go. If you're a foreigner in Korea seeking abortion services, the best approach is to:

• Contact a clinic directly to confirm availability and language support
• Ask about the types of procedures offered and pricing
• Clarify consent requirements and privacy policies before your visit

Being informed and prepared will help you access the care you need safely and confidentially.

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