0
Pastor Go Gyeong-hwan, Representative President of the Christian Council of Korea. / Courtesy of the CCK

The Christian Council of Korea (CCK) issued a statement expressing deep concern over the government's directive to introduce abortion medication and urging that the principle of respect for life be upheld as the highest value.

According to church sources on July 21, the CCK stated in a release the previous day, "We express deep concern over President Lee Jae-myung's directive to relevant ministries during a Cabinet meeting to swiftly pursue the introduction of abortion medication, and we strongly urge the government to place the principle of respect for life above all other values."

"The government emphasizes the need for abortion drugs citing safety issues from illegally distributed pharmaceuticals and a legislative vacuum," the group said. "However, using the resolution of institutional deficiencies as a justification must not lead to paving the way for easier abandonment of unborn life."

"Life is the starting point of all human rights, and an unborn child, though not yet born, is undeniably a living being and a human entitled to protection," the council stated. "A nation can truly claim to uphold human rights only when it safeguards the rights of even the most vulnerable lives."

Regarding the protection of women's health and safety, the group emphasized alternative support measures. "Protecting women should not be predicated on sacrificing another life," they argued. "What women facing difficulties during pregnancy and childbirth need is not a system that helps them abandon life, but national support and social care that share responsibility for childbirth and child-rearing."

The CCK urged, "If the government truly cares about women's health, rather than rushing the introduction of abortion medication, it should first establish policies that protect women while safeguarding life—such as expanding support for single mothers, medical care for childbirth, and child support assistance."

"An unborn child is a precious life created in the image of God, whose value does not fluctuate according to human choice," the group added. "We strongly urge the government to fulfill its responsibility to uphold the dignity of life rather than rushing the adoption of abortion medication, keeping deeply in mind that no right takes precedence over life."

                                                                                                         Hwang Eui-joong