criminal penalty varies from one year's imprisonment or a fine of 2 million won (approximately $1,750) if the abortion is self-induced by the pregnant woman herself, and ten years imprisonment if the abortion is performed by medical practitioners, with or without the pregnant woman's request or consent, causing the death of the woman. In general, criminal penalties for medical professionals who perform abortions are much stronger than for pregnant women. Additionally, if a doctor is involved in abortion, the license of the doctor will be suspended for a maximum of seven years. In 1992, a special congressional committee tried to pass the revised Articles 269 and 270 by introducing lessened thresholds and penalties pertaining to abortion. However, its attempt failed to pass the Conservative-controlled National Assembly. The Korean Criminal Code was first introduced in 1953, the year the Korean War ended. The post-war conditions included a drastic population decline and general social instability. Many explanations tracing the history and legislative purpose of Article 269 and 270 propose that the two provisions were designed to address post-Korean War conditions by promoting the sanctity of lives and population growth. The Mother and Child Health Act (1973) Introduced in 1973, the Mother and Child Health Act states five special circumstances under which the abortion is legally allowed. The five circumstances are: when the pregnant woman or her spouse has any eugenic or genetic disability or disease; when the pregnant woman or her spouse has any infectious disease; when the pregnancy is a result of rape or quasi-rape; when the pregnancy happens between two individuals who are legally unable to marry (such as blood relatives in incestuous relationships); when the continuation of pregnancy could potentially harm the health of the pregnant woman. However, there are several reasons why the applicability of Mother and Child Health Act might be narrow in practical cases. First, in some cases, the Supreme Court ruled that an abortion was regarded as illegal if the fetus was diagnosed with Down syndrome. Second, in regards to the third condition (when the pregnancy is a result of rape or quasi-rape), the stigma associated with rape might prevent pregnant women in South Korea from openly seeking legalization of their abortions, and the legal concept of rape has limited meanings that could potentially dismiss many cases. Moreover, the Mother and Child Health Act requires spousal consent in for a pregnant woman to obtain a