The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) announced a re-categorisation plan for medicines, which allows emergency contraception pills, known as morning-after pills, to be sold OTC, while birth control pills will require a visit to the doctor.
KFDA's new plan was made after groups of consumers and women's rights activists demanded that women's right to choose what they needed must be respected in 2010.
The birth control pills are usually taken regularly for a long period. Women take a pill every day for 21 days followed by seven days without. The morning-after pill is taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
According to the re-categorisation, women will be given much wider access to the contraceptives, whose use has been recommended under very limited terms.
The authorities expect the new decision will decrease the abortions occuring in the country, which touch 300,000 mark every year.
KFDA officer Cho Ki-ho said according to their panel of experts, the main mechanism behind the emergency pills is the interference of hormonal action, linked to interference of implantation.
"We are hoping that the wider access to the morning-after pill will prevent unwanted pregnancies. Because the drug is effective within 12 hours from sexual intercourse and at utmost 72 hours, time and access to the drug is very important. The pill is not an ordinary contraceptive. It is for very limited, urgent and frightening situations only," Cho said.
The offical added that even though the pills have been proven safe, they will continue to consult with representatives from religious and other fields, as they understand that the issue is related to public antipathy.
