I read the letter from the reader in Korea with some interest. I lived in Korea for a long, long time, and while I can imagine that everything he said was accurate, what bugs me is what he did not say: abortion is illegal in South Korea.

Yes, that's right – it's available on almost every block and hospital, and is actually quite common (though opposed privately in many Christian households), but it's technically against the law. This matters, because it undercuts the idea that banning abortions will end them. While it's true that Korea is far more lax about enforcing its laws than is the United States, this only suggests that its abortions are performed far more professionally than illegal abortions would be here.

For an authoritative look at the law, check out this article by a American attorney in Korea.