A YouTube video claiming that a woman underwent an abortion at nine months of pregnancy has sparked a significant controversy in South Korea. The video, which has gone viral, prompted the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to launch a full investigation to uncover the uploader’s identity.
The police have requested information from YouTube to help identify the individual behind the video, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare has referred the case for a thorough inquiry. Authorities are considering charging the woman with murder, given the gravity of the claims.
In the video, the woman, who claimed to be in her twenties, recounted that she initially believed she had just gained weight but later learned of her pregnancy during a medical checkup. She opted for an abortion, showcasing ultrasound footage in the video, where a doctor attempted to convince her to keep the baby. The woman revealed that she spent roughly KRW 9 million (around USD 6,480) on the procedure, describing the experience as “120 hours in hell.”
A spokesperson from the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency announced during a regular press conference that they are working closely with YouTube to obtain information on the uploader.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare had previously requested police to investigate the incident as a potential murder case after reviewing the law, considering the crime of abortion disappeared under criminal law and the punishment was not effective.
In South Korea, abortion beyond 24 weeks of pregnancy is illegal under the Mother and Child Health Act. However, in 2019, the Constitutional Court ruled that legal provisions punishing women for undergoing abortions violate constitutional values by excessively restraining one’s right to self-autonomy. The police agency stated it would decide which legal provisions to apply after confirming the status of the fetus at the time of the abortion.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare initially requested the investigation on July 12. A police representative clarified that the Ministry had referred the case for legal review as a potential murder charge due to the constitutional inconsistencies surrounding the crime of abortion. The exact condition of the fetus needs to be determined to decide the appropriate charges.
Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Jo Ji-ho emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that at 36 weeks, the pregnancy was nearly full-term, making this case significantly different from typical abortion cases. “We intend to investigate with weight,” Jo stated, adding that expert opinions and specific abortion details would be thoroughly examined.
Despite the gravity of the claims, legal experts believe the woman is unlikely to face murder charges due to precedents ruling that fetuses are not considered human beings under the law.
According to the Criminal Act, the subject of murder must be a “person” or human. Police confirm the facts and address the matter sternly after careful legal considerations. The YouTuber has since deleted all her videos, including the controversial abortion video.
