Protected Birth System for Crisis Pregnancies marks 2 years — 18,088 counseling sessions, 1308 helpline in operation
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
Women in crisis pregnancies can receive counseling on the Protected Birth System through the 1308 helpline and 24-hour KakaoTalk chat counseling; since the system began on 19 July 2024, 18,088 counseling sessions were provided to 4,251 women through the end of June 2026.
Key facts
| Counseling channels | 1308 helpline; KakaoTalk chat counseling available 24 hours (Ministry of Health and Welfare / National Center for the Rights of the Child) |
|---|---|
| What is provided | Counseling and information on welfare services such as pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing support; where unavoidable, medical care and childbirth under a pseudonym |
| Counseling record | 19 July 2024 – end of June 2026: 18,088 counseling sessions for 4,251 women in crisis pregnancies (726 in-depth sessions) |
| Outcomes | 409 chose to raise the child in their own family, 62 chose adoption after registering the birth, 206 applied for protected birth (47 withdrew after the deliberation period and counseling) |
| Children abandoned after birth | 88 in 2023 → 30 in 2024 → 19 in 2025 (about 78% decrease) |
| Birth certificate record | A child born through protected birth is protected under state responsibility and, upon reaching adulthood, may request disclosure of a birth certificate containing their birth information |
Last checked:
Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on 19 July 2026 that the Birth Notification System and the Protected Birth System for Crisis Pregnancies (위기임신보호출산제) had reached their second anniversary. The Protected Birth System provides counseling and information on welfare services such as pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing support so that women in crisis pregnancies can raise their child within their own family, and where unavoidable, allows them to receive medical care and give birth under a pseudonym. From the system's start date of 19 July 2024 through the end of June 2026, a total of 18,088 counseling sessions were provided to 4,251 women in crisis pregnancies. Of these, 726 received in-depth counseling, 409 chose to raise the child in their own family and 62 chose adoption after registering the birth. 206 women applied for protected birth, and after a deliberation period of at least seven days and counseling, 47 withdrew their applications. The number of children abandoned after birth fell about 78%, from 88 in 2023 to 30 in 2024 and 19 in 2025.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Where can I get counseling for a crisis pregnancy?
You can receive counseling through the 1308 helpline, and KakaoTalk chat counseling is also available 24 hours.
Can an application for protected birth be withdrawn?
It goes through a deliberation period of at least seven days and counseling; of the 206 women who applied, 47 withdrew their applications.
Can a child born through protected birth learn their birth information?
The child is protected under state responsibility and, upon reaching adulthood, may request disclosure of a birth certificate containing their birth information.