If a woman chooses to have a protected birth after receiving this guidance, she will be given a fake name and identification number, which she can use for medical checkups and childbirth. All medical expenses will be covered. (Image from Yonhap News TV)
SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Korea Bizwire) –A new law called the “Special Law on Support for Pregnancy and Protected Childbirth in Crisis Situations and Child Protection” was approved by the National Assembly.
This law allows pregnant women facing tough economic, social, or emotional situations to give birth without revealing their identity. It aims to reduce risky births outside of hospitals and prevent the tragic situation where children are not registered after birth, often called “ghost children.”
However, some people are worried that this law might make it easier for mothers to abandon their children. They say that it needs to be accompanied by measures to protect the child’s right to know their identity and support single mothers.
Here’s what the law does: If a pregnant woman is facing difficulties and wants to give birth and raise her child, she can choose “protected childbirth.” In this case, she gives birth without disclosing her identity and gives the child to the local government, which then takes care of the child and arranges for adoption.
The main goal is to prevent situations where pregnant women can’t raise their children due to difficult circumstances and end up giving birth outside of a hospital or leaving their babies behind. The government wants to emphasize that “protected birth” is a last resort. The primary focus is on supporting pregnant women so that they can raise their children on their own.
Local counseling centers will provide advice, information, and connections to services for pregnant women. There will also be a central organization that develops counseling programs and procedures and provides training.
If a woman chooses to have a protected birth after receiving this guidance, she will be given a fake name and identification number, which she can use for medical checkups and childbirth. All medical expenses will be covered.
The concept of “protected birth,” also known as “anonymous birth,” has been in discussion for several years, even back in 2018 when the government mentioned it as a measure for controlling births.
However, there has been slow progress due to concerns that it might infringe on a child’s right to know their origins and make it easier for pregnant women to give up parenting.
Single mothers’ organizations, in particular, have argued that it’s more important to prioritize support for pregnant women in crisis situations instead of focusing solely on birth control measures.
The discussion around protected birth gained momentum when it was revealed that more than 2,000 unregistered births, or “ghost children,” had occurred. An audit by the National Audit Office of the Ministry of Health and Welfare discovered these unregistered children born between 2015 and 2022, leading to concerns about their safety and well-being.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
