For a growing number of infertile couples in South Korea, surrogacy is emerging as a viable option. Currently, some couples are using surrogate mothers from overseas to have children, but the process is fraught with legal and ethical issues as well as financial burdens. This raises the need for systematic management and government intervention in surrogacy, as well as national education and promotion to prevent infertility.
One in seven couples in Korea is infertile. This infertility problem is not just an individual issue, but is directly related to the declining birthrate and is emerging as an important social issue that requires national attention. In particular, in recent years, the number of infertile couples has been increasing as the age of marriage has been delayed and the age of women preparing for pregnancy and childbirth has increased. As a result, various technologies and methods related to infertility treatment have emerged, but surrogacy has become a realistic alternative for infertile couples. This is why more and more couples are turning to surrogacy to have children.
Countries such as the United States and India recognize the role of surrogacy for their own women, especially Indian women, who are often preferred because they are cheaper and do not drink or smoke for religious reasons. In countries where the role of surrogacy is legally recognized, surrogacy is often seen as a way to make a living, which is why professional surrogacy agencies are thriving in some areas. For example, Korean couples are traveling to India to have their genetically engineered embryos implanted in a surrogate woman’s uterus and receive their child 10 months later. The agencies that organize these arrangements say there are no problems because the contracts are legally complete and recognized by the Indian government, and they teach the couples how to register the births of their children as biological parents when they return to Korea.
However, the process comes with a number of ethical and cultural issues and is physically and emotionally taxing for both the couple and the surrogate. In South Korea, if the surrogate woman claims parental rights to the child, it puts a legal and ethical burden on the infertile couple, but Indian surrogate women are not allowed to claim parental rights under Indian law. Seeing the reality of infertile couples in Korea who have no choice but to rely on surrogacy, many people feel the need for a social system.
The issue of surrogacy is at the center of an ethical debate, with both proponents and opponents on both sides. For couples who desperately want a child, having a child with a surrogate mother is a satisfying win-win strategy as long as it is mutually agreed upon. However, opponents are concerned about the commoditization of a woman’s womb, as well as the potential for mother-child attachment problems during pregnancy, health problems for the fetus or surrogate, emotional problems for the child, and disruption of family relationships.
The ethical debate about surrogacy is not just about the choice or rights of one individual. It raises fundamental questions about the values of the state and society. The issue of surrogacy is a sensitive and inconclusive one, as there is no clear-cut ethical position on either side. However, if surrogacy continues to be a trend, it is necessary for Korea to actively intervene as a country to help and manage it. We shouldn’t ignore the issue of surrogacy just by debating the pros and cons.
It is true that there are not many surrogate mothers in Korea due to the cost, social stigma, and paternity claims. Due to the country’s ambiguous stance and laws, it is a national and personal waste for couples to travel to faraway India to receive a child. To solve this problem, Korea needs to help prepare. Many experts argue that it is necessary to reduce the cost burden and improve social awareness by establishing a surrogacy system.
First, a government-related organization is needed to oversee the surrogacy process. This organization would match couples diagnosed with infertility with volunteer surrogate mothers and act as a contract broker. The agency will examine the couple to discover the cause of their infertility and carefully determine if there is no other solution other than surrogacy. Surrogate mothers are strictly screened to ensure that they are in good health and have the right living conditions to manage a pregnancy, and only women who pass the screening are granted surrogacy. To avoid the commodification of women’s sexuality, the state should implement a system whereby the surrogate mother is paid by the state, rather than the couple and the surrogate mother privately agreeing on a price. Also, while the surrogate is pregnant, the state should send a dedicated management team to check on the living conditions, nutrition, etc. of the child and the surrogate, and respond immediately to any problems.
While it would be difficult to legally legalize surrogacy, a governing body could register the surrogate and the couple, and obtain a written commitment from the surrogate that she will not claim parental rights, which would ease the couple’s anxiety. Such a system would clarify legal responsibilities for both the couple and the surrogate and minimize unnecessary misunderstandings or conflicts. Finally, once the children are born, they can be supported with ongoing attention and support, and if necessary, reunions can be arranged between the surrogate and the children to help them establish their identity.
Of course, even with this kind of state support, there are still humanitarian issues that are difficult to solve. When a man and a woman meet, create a cozy family, and have a child together, it is the happiest dream and connection between them. If they are unable to have children, they will feel a great sense of loss and sadness. I know this because I’ve seen it in my own life. No one can fail to understand the psychological pain and longing that infertile couples feel, as having a child is a great joy and meaning.
Before we can fundamentally solve the ethical crossroads of surrogacy, we need to educate fertile women and men about healthy lifestyle and dietary habits to prevent infertility. In recent years, a growing body of research has shown that factors such as environmental pollution, food safety issues, and stress play a large role in fertility decline and infertility problems. Education should not only be targeted at newlyweds and young women, but also through school education, including primary and secondary schools, public service announcements, and media outlets. Prevention programs and guidelines should be introduced and promoted at the national level.
