Questions remain after passage of anonymous birth bill
The National Assembly on Friday passed a bill allowing women to give birth anonymously at hospitals as part of its efforts to reduce the number of children denied registration at birth.
But concerns are growing over the anonymous birth system, which will be introduced in July next year, with some suggesting that it might lead to more mothers giving up their children, especially when it comes to children born with a disability.
Observers also say that the Protected Birth Bill still falls short of accounting for unwanted pregnancies and lacks protective measures for single parents.
The bill comes amid mounting public outrage over a series of infanticide cases that emerged after the government launched a nationwide probe earlier this year into the whereabouts of so-called “ghost babies,” or undocumented babies.
Single-mother civic groups in Korea have voiced their concerns over the new scheme, saying that it might increase the number of out-of-hospital births, as well as the stigma around single motherhood, as it requires hospitals to notify the local government of a baby's information within 14 days of birth through the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.
They argue that this would push more single parents or mothers of unwanted pregnancies to give birth outside of hospitals to keep them a secret and their identities hidden. An estimated 100 to 200 out-of-hospital births occur annually, according to reports citing medical personnel. According to the Board of Audit Inspection report released mid-June, at least 2,236 children born between 2015 and 2022 in medical institutions were not registered with the government.
The bill also does not include registration for non-citizen parents, which would leave many foreigners unable to access basic services for their children.
Under the scheme, a child who is given up for adoption can request the disclosure of one’s birth certificate under the Child Rights Guarantee, but a mother can choose not to disclose her personal information, leaving the child unable to find information about their biological mother.
Despite these hiccups, however, Welfare Minister Cho Kyu-hong expressed hope that the enactment of the new law will allow women to give birth safely at a hospital, reducing health risks to mothers and their children.
(责任编辑:요리)
[KH Explains] Banks, regulators trade blame for snowballing ELS losses
UN committee adopts resolution on N. Korean human rights for 19th straight year
Congressional panel official stresses space
N. Korea tests newly developed solid
Seoul high court sides with iPhone owners against Apple over ‘batterygate’
- NYT picks Yoon as one of most stylish people of 2023
- 송영길 “비례정당 출마 검토”…조국과 연대 가능성도 시사
- US set to deploy B
- S. Korea, US revise deterrence strategy amid growing NK threats
- 조응천 "8년간 쓴소리 했는데…요즘은 백태클에 뒤통수 가격"
- Posco International to build modular factory in Ukraine
- Production teams called out for carelessness
- Prix Medicis winning Han Kang wants next novel to be like 'spring'
-
[KH Explains] China ups OLED ante to take over Korean shares
China’s recent move to ramp up investment in organic light-emitting display panels is stoking fears ...[详细]
-
[Herald Interview] UAE economy minister urges to expand business partnerships
United Arab Emirates Economy Minister Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri said he hopes to see more partnershi ...[详细]
-
S. Korea, US revise deterrence strategy amid growing NK threats
The defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States on Monday unveiled an updated security strat ...[详细]
-
SK to create world's first advanced plastic recycling cluster, breaks ground in Ulsan
South Korean chemical company SK Geocentric has started the construction of a new advanced plastic r ...[详细]
-
Court overturns ruling on fabricated asylum interview: report
A 2021 court ruling that had ordered the South Korean government and two civil servants to compensat ...[详细]
-
Han Sung Motor commits to give back to society
Han Sung Motor, the largest Mercedes-Benz car dealer in Korea, is ramping up efforts to carry out di ...[详细]
-
Food trade agency launches global low
The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. said Wednesday it has launched a consultative body to pr ...[详细]
-
Top diplomats of S. Korea, US, Japan hold talks on margins of APEC summit
The top diplomats of South Korea, the United States and Japan held three-way talks on the sidelines ...[详细]
-
송영길엔 선 그은 이준석 "이낙연 싫어할 이유 없다, 긍정적"
이준석 전 국민의힘 대표, 이낙연 전 총리. 연합뉴스신당 창당을 준비하는 이준석 전 국민의힘 대표가 6일 문재인 정부에서 국무총리를 지낸 이낙연·김부겸 전 총리에 대해 “싫어할 이 ...[详细]
-
Posco International to build modular factory in Ukraine
Posco International announced Wednesday that the company would join Ukraine’s reconstruction, starti ...[详细]
- Naver CEO satisfied with 'better
- The Beatles release new track ‘Now And Then’ after 27 years thanks to AI
- From artisan to 'foreign laborer:' a French craftsman's take on Korea's construction scene
- Blinken redoubles calls for humanitarian pause in Israel
- South Korea lining up banks to help finance $22 billion arms sale to Poland
- N. Korea vows military action after US missile test
- FM makes final pitch for World Expo 2030 in France
- Samsung files complaint in US against BOE for allegedly leaking trade secrets
- Hyundai, Kia report robust EV US sales, shrug off impact of IRA
- LG CNS, NYC, AmCham Korea forge partnerships on digital transformation
Actors, musicians unite for Hakchon Theater's closing act
Yoon set to depart for San Francisco to attend APEC summit
- S. Korea asks UAE to correct nat'l flag image mix
- Bill pushed to let South Korea list Hamas as foreign terrorist before UN
- Seoul shares open higher on Wall Street gains
- N. Korea tests newly developed solid
- Passengers file complaints over burning smell on Gimpo Goldline
- Animal shelter busted for killing and burying hundreds of pets
- National Changgeuk Company's endeavor to foster pansori composers continues