seoul south korean president office say sunday begin review country 64-year-old law ban abortion announcement come 230,000 south koreans file petition call abolishment law south korea criminalize abortion 1953 leaders want boost population build army powerful enough fend rival north korea 1973 population growth strong country draw exceptions abortion law mother health risk baby bear severe birth defect pregnancy cause sexual crime many public health experts south korea push change abortion law face opposition strong pro-life lobby country one asia large percentages christians government try boost one world low fertility rat president office say government conduct research next year country abortion case first time since 2010. base outcome research expect move relevant discussions one step forward cho kuk senior presidential secretary civil affairs say statement cho say south korea constitutional court 2012 uphold anti-abortion law review legislation accord recent figure estimate 16,900 abortions perform 2010 percent do legally say south korea review whether abolish anti-abortion law