The mother of a fetus discovered at a wastewater treatment facility in Asan, South Korea, is unlikely to face criminal charges, even if identified.
According to Yonhap News and the Asan Police Station, the remains of a fetus, estimated to be around 16 weeks gestation, were found at the facility's collection point on September 28 at approximately 11:30 p.m. The fetus, a male measuring 20 cm and weighing 110 grams, showed minimal signs of damage and was found with its umbilical cord.
The collection point receives wastewater from nearby businesses, worker dormitories, and surrounding villages and shops. Given that security personnel monitor the area, police believe the fetus may have entered the facility through the drainage system.
Authorities are also considering the possibility of a natural miscarriage, as the fetus showed no significant injuries.
However, even if the mother is identified, there are no applicable criminal charges. The Supreme Court ruled in 1982 that a person is defined as beginning at the onset of labor, meaning the presence of contractions.
The law criminalizing self-induced abortion was rendered ineffective in 2021. The Constitutional Court declared in April 2019 that the laws against self-induced and physician-assisted abortion were unconstitutional, mandating legislative changes by the end of 2020. However, the National Assembly did not enact alternative legislation, resulting in the expiration of those provisions on January 1, 2021.
Some speculate that the mother may have used medication to terminate the pregnancy, as 16 weeks is a period when a fetus can be expelled in a recognizable form after medication is taken.
A gynecologist shared an article on social media, suggesting, "It is possible that the mother took abortion pills and discarded the baby in the toilet."
In this scenario, the mother would not face prosecution for taking the medication, as the law punishes those who sell or import the drugs, not the individuals who consume them.
Meanwhile, police have requested an autopsy and DNA analysis of the fetal remains to determine the cause of death and identify the mother.
A police official stated, "We need objective facts from the autopsy and DNA analysis before making any determinations," adding, "At this stage, we cannot make any conclusions."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.