With the implementation of the protected birth system for crisis pregnancies, the number of abandoned children fell 79% over two years as of the 19th. The protected birth system allows pregnant women with economic or social concerns to give birth anonymously while the state provides protection. It was introduced in July 2024 to enable women to give birth safely and reduce child abandonment.
When a pregnant woman who wishes to avoid revealing her identity gives birth at a hospital, the child is handed over to the local government. If the pregnant woman leaves her personal details with a specialized counseling agency, an institution under the Health and Welfare Ministry preserves them. When the child becomes an adult and wishes to know the birth parents' information, the child can request it from the government. The information is released with the birth parents' consent.
According to the Health and Welfare Ministry, from July 19, 2024, to the end of June this year, 4,251 pregnant women in crisis received 18,088 counseling sessions. Of these, 726 received in-depth counseling, and 409 decided to raise the child in the birth family. The number of pregnant women who applied for protected birth was 206, and 62 chose adoption after registering the birth. Forty-seven withdrew their protected birth applications after a reflection period of seven days or more.
At the same time, child abandonment showed a declining trend. The number of children abandoned after birth fell from 88 in 2023 to 30 in 2024 and 19 last year. Any pregnant woman in crisis can receive counseling by phone (1308) and via KakaoTalk chat. A Health and Welfare Ministry official said, "We will protect mothers in crisis and children."