Why Korea’s pregnancy seats are so hard for pregnant women to use

“Pregnancy is often celebrated as the start of new life, but for many women it also brings months of physical strain, caution and discomfort. Pregnant women have to watch what they eat, move more slowly and sometimes cope with mood swings, making everyday routines — including a subway or bus ride — harder than they may look to others. Pregnancy has long required public accommodation and Korea’s low birthrate has added urgency to campaigns encouraging people to support pregnant women in public spaces. The Ministry of Health and Welfare oversees the program, while the Korea Population, Health and Welfare Association handles the production and distribution of the badges. A small badge meant to make pregnancy visible on public transport has become a test of how much trust strangers will extend to one another. Most citizens support the badge’s purpose, but some complain about misuse or about pregnant women taking the courtesy for granted. The debate around priority seats for pregnant women has sharpened into a familiar divide. Some say passengers should give up seats as a matter of bas

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