In this blog post, we will examine the reality of infertile couples in South Korea who have to go to India for surrogacy, as well as the social and ethical issues behind it.
One in seven Korean couples is infertile. This infertility issue is not merely a personal problem but is directly linked to the low birthrate and has emerged as an important social issue requiring national attention. In particular, as the average age of marriage has increased, the age of women preparing for pregnancy and childbirth has risen, leading to a steady increase in the number of infertile couples. As a result, various technologies and methods related to infertility treatment have emerged, but among them, surrogacy has emerged as a realistic alternative for infertile couples. Therefore, the number of infertile couples seeking children through surrogacy is increasing.
In countries like the United States and India, surrogacy is legally recognized, and Indian women are particularly preferred due to lower costs and religious reasons that prevent them from drinking alcohol or smoking. In countries where the role of surrogate mothers is legally recognized, surrogacy is often viewed as a means of livelihood, leading to the active operation of professional surrogacy agencies in some regions. As a result, Korean couples are increasingly traveling to India to implant embryos created from their own genes into the wombs of surrogate mothers and returning home with their children after 10 months.
The agencies overseeing these arrangements claim that there is no reason for problems to arise, as the contracts are legally binding and recognized by the Indian government. They also reportedly instruct couples returning to Korea with their children on how to register the child as their biological offspring. However, this process raises various ethical and cultural issues and imposes significant physical and emotional burdens on both the couple and the surrogate mother.
In Korea, if a surrogate mother claims parental rights over the child, it creates legal and ethical burdens for the infertile couple. However, Indian surrogate mothers cannot claim parental rights under Indian law. Witnessing the reality of Korean infertile couples who have no choice but to rely on overseas surrogacy, many people are beginning to recognize the need for social systems to address this issue.
First, it is surprising to learn that there are so many infertile couples in Korea. The issue of surrogacy is at the center of an ethical debate with strong opposing views. From the perspective of couples who desperately want a child, surrogacy can be a satisfactory win-win strategy if both parties agree.
After all, humans have the desire for self-preservation and the right to pursue happiness. However, opponents argue that surrogacy commodifies women’s uteruses, raises concerns about the emotional bond between the surrogate and the child during pregnancy, poses health risks to the surrogate and the fetus, and may lead to emotional issues for the child and disrupt family relationships. The ethical debate surrounding surrogacy is not merely about individual choice or rights. It raises fundamental questions about the values that a nation and society should pursue.
In the current situation, where it is impossible to definitively determine which side is ethically correct, the issue of surrogacy is sensitive and difficult to resolve. However, if surrogacy continues to emerge as it does today, it is necessary for our country to actively intervene at the national level to provide support and regulation. We must not ignore the issue of surrogacy by merely engaging in pro-con debates.
In South Korea, there are few surrogates due to issues such as cost, social stigma, and custody disputes. The ambiguous stance of the government and the lack of clear laws have forced couples to go as far as India to have children, which is a waste of resources both nationally and personally. To address this, South Korea needs to prepare accordingly. Many experts argue that efforts are needed to establish a surrogacy system to reduce costs and improve social awareness.
First, a government agency responsible for managing surrogacy-related matters is needed. This agency would connect newlywed couples diagnosed with infertility with volunteer surrogates and act as a contract mediator. The agency would conduct thorough examinations of the couple to identify the cause of infertility and carefully determine whether there are alternative solutions besides surrogacy. Surrogate mothers must undergo strict screening to ensure they have appropriate health conditions and living environments for pregnancy management, and only those who pass the screening are granted surrogate mother status. To prevent the commodification of women’s bodies, instead of allowing couples and surrogate mothers to negotiate prices privately, the state should implement a system where the government provides financial compensation to surrogate mothers. Additionally, during the surrogate mother’s pregnancy, the state should dispatch a dedicated management team to monitor the living conditions and nutritional status of the child and the surrogate mother, and take immediate action if any issues arise.
While legalizing surrogacy may be challenging, regulatory agencies can register contract surrogates and couples, and obtain a written commitment from the surrogate mother that she will not claim parental rights, thereby alleviating the couple’s concerns.
Through this system, the couple and the surrogate mother can clarify their legal responsibilities and minimize unnecessary misunderstandings or conflicts. Finally, after the child is born, the state should continue to show interest and provide support for the child, and when necessary, facilitate meetings between children born through surrogacy to help them establish their identity. Of course, even with such national support, there will undoubtedly remain humanitarian issues that are difficult to resolve.
It is the happiest dream and bond between two people to meet, build a cozy home, and have children. Not being able to have children is a great loss and sadness. I know this well because I have often seen such people around me. No one can fail to understand the psychological pain and longing felt by infertile couples, given that having children is such a great joy and meaning in itself.
Above all, before fundamentally resolving the ethical issue of surrogacy, we need to educate fertile women and men on healthy lifestyles and eating habits to prevent infertility. Recent studies have shown that factors such as environmental pollution, food safety issues, and stress significantly influence fertility decline and infertility. Such education should not be limited to newlywed couples or young women but should be integrated into school curricula from elementary to high school, public service announcements, and various media outlets. National-level efforts are needed to introduce and promote preventive programs and guidelines.
