Early this month a group of young doctors declared a war against abortion, which is illegal but rampant here.

Consisting of some 600 obstetricians in their 30s and 40s, the group tentatively named "Gynob" resolved not to comply with any abortion request that is not based on medical validity.

"Despite the huge gap between law and reality, our society has left the issue of illegal abortions long unsettled. Most abortions in Korea occur because of social and economic reasons. And all of them are illegal," they said in a statement issued on Nov. 1.

After ending their anti-abortion campaign within the year, the group plans to seek criminal proceedings from Jan. 1. Doctors here say an age-old Pandora's Box of abortion has just opened up.

Rampant abortions

The current Mother and Child Health Law permits abortions only in limited cases such as when one of the parents suffers from a hereditary disease, when the pregnancy arises from rape or incest, or when pregnancy would damage the mother's health severely.

According to the latest data from the Health Ministry, almost 330,000 abortions were induced in 2005 and only 4.4 percent of them met the legally required conditions. While nearly 450,000 babies are born every year in Korea, doctors say the actual number of abortions would be two to three times greater than the official figure.

However, the number of people who faced trial on charges of performing or receiving illegal abortions was one in 2005, five in 2006, four in 2007 and five in 2008, Rep. Jang Yoon-seok of the ruling Grand National Party noted last month during a parliamentary inspection of the Seoul High Court.

"We doctors, judicial authorities and the Health Ministry all have committed a grave error for a long time. That's why the uncomfortable truth has never been able to be revealed," said Choi Ahn-na, spokesperson for Gynob, who also runs a private clinic in Mapo, western Seoul.

Desperate doctors

Obstetrical and gynecological clinics in Korea have long struggled from old issues such as low medical fees, ceaseless legal conflicts and a shortage of specialists.

Under the system, most private clinics have given up risk-bearing delivery services. But practicing cheaper gynecological treatment does not make a profit. As a result, a growing number of specialists do abortions or turn to other more favorable departments such as dermatology and plastic surgery.

Currently an abortion's operation fee stands at 300,000 to 400,000 won (or $257-$343) and has become a major earning procedure for some obstetricians. A Gynob member doctor said in an interview that he performed 20 abortions in a month while delivering 14 babies.

Young doctors started sensing that they could be the nation's last generation of gynecologists, resulting in the establishment of Gynob, which comes from gynecology and obstetrics, in December last year. And the issue of illegal abortion has topped their agenda.

"We thought that it would be difficult for us to voice our opinion unless old practices such as illegal abortions are rooted out by our efforts," the Gynob spokesperson said.

"In Korea, the issues related to disabled people or unmarried mothers have been largely solved by abortions. No meaningful efforts have been made by the government. Babies should be born without discrimination. Their rights should be claimed, then the government's policy would follow with better social infrastructure."

Opening up a debate

Lee Na-young, sociology professor at Chung-Ang University, observed the move led by doctors have opened the first meaningful debate over abortion in Korea.

"Unlike in other countries, there have been almost no disputes on the issue here. Because society has secretly sympathized with abortion, even feminists here don't need to stage a pro-abortion movement," said Lee.

But she remained cautious about the actual effects of the declaration, adding that it should not be misinterpreted by religious groups and conservatives.

Historically, Korean women have never claimed rights over their bodies, Lee said. During the 1960-70s, the government's birth control policy forced them to get abortions. But now they are encouraged to bear more babies due to the nation's falling birthrate.

"In order to change people's thoughts more fundamentally, a fierce debate over women's bodies and their rights should be prompted," she said.

"In countries such as Germany, unmarried couples and single mothers are not labeled by society and they benefit from government support. If women, especially unmarried mothers, can raise their children without feeling any disgrace and are supported by a strong social safety net, why would they decide to get an abortion?"

The first and last chance

Over the resolution of doctors, the first of its kind in Korea, the Korean Catholic Church immediately issued a message welcoming the announcement while the Korean Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists with a membership of 4,000 doctors underplayed it as a minority opinion of radical doctors.

"Regardless of culture and system, it is widely considered that illegal abortion should be eradicated. However, the issue cannot be solved by making some obstetricians criminals," said KAOG in a statement.

Choi said the group had tried but failed to reach an agreement with KAOG before announcing the declaration on its own. Within Gynob, the number of members also decreased from 680 to 650 in the process of discussions.

"We know doctors would feel humiliated as they have to confess their past wrong-doings. And abortion has already been an important source of profit," Choi said.

She admitted their efforts could be meaningless without the participation of all doctors.

"If some doctors quit performing abortions, others would do more. That's why we are considering criminal charges against illegal abortions," she said.

"Yes, some of us are criminals too. If necessary, we are ready to be investigated first. We think this might be the last chance to make a change."

(jylee@heraldm.com)

By Lee Ji-yoon