Second Pregnancy Without Husband's Consent...Lee Si-young, was the embryo transfer controversy burdensome..sudden suspension of activity

Jul 11, 2025

 Second Pregnancy Without Husband's Consent...Lee Si-young, was the embryo transfer controversy burdensome..sudden suspension of activity



The public's attention is on the controversial move of actor Lee Si-young by transplanting an embryo without the consent of her divorced ex-husband.

On the 10th, Lee Si-young suddenly deleted a post that announced the news of her second pregnancy through her personal account. Currently, Lee Si-young's SNS only leaves a post about her recent life in the U.S. for a month, which she left with her son late last month.

Earlier on the 8th, Lee Si-young surprised everyone by announcing "I'm currently pregnant" through her personal account. The news of Lee Si-young's sudden second pregnancy sent the public a look of concern rather than 'congratulations'. Lee Si-young, who married a businessman nine years her senior in 2017, gave birth to a son, Jeong-yoon, in January of the following year and formed a harmonious family, as she suddenly announced her divorce in March of this year. Ironically, four months after the sudden news of the divorce, not only fans but also the public were surprised by Lee Si-young's move to deliver the news of her second pregnancy.




Conscious of this reaction, Lee Si-young drew attention by announcing the news of her second pregnancy and revealing the process of becoming pregnant in detail.

He said "8 years ago, when I had Jung Yoon, the most precious being in my life now, I was pre-marriage, and I was filming a drama. I was younger than I am now, and I lacked a lot. And whenever I watched Jung Yoon's year in my arms, I regretted and blamed myself for the long time I spent with anxiety and negative feelings, even for a moment. Therefore, if life comes to me again, I promised myself that I would never repeat the same regret.'"I prepared my second baby through in vitro procedures during my marriage. However, it has been a long time since the modified embryo was not transplanted, and stories of divorce naturally came and went. By the time all legal relations were sorted out, coincidentally, as the expiration of five years of embryo cryopreservation approached, the time to make a choice came, and I made the decision myself to receive the transplant ahead of the time of disposal. The other party did not agree, but the weight of the decision I made is completely on my own."

The second pregnancy after the divorce, plus the 'embryonic transplant', which proceeded without the consent of the ex-husband, left considerable words. Some pointed out legal issues and bioethics.




Eventually, Lee Si-young's ex-husband also came forward. After the announcement of the pregnancy, Lee Si-young's ex-husband said in the entertainment media Dispatch, `It is true that he opposed the second pregnancy while divorced.' `But now that I have a second child, I'm trying to fulfill my responsibilities as a father.' The ex-husband also admitted that Lee Si-young's second pregnancy proceeded without her consent.

Since then, several media have dealt with legal issues surrounding Lee Si-young's second pregnancy. Currently, under the current law of Korea, written consent from the person involved is required when collecting sperm and eggs to produce embryos in accordance with the Bioethics Act, but there is no regulation related to consent when transferring embryos. As a result, there is no legal provision to punish embryo transfer without consent.

Lawyers also agreed that there was no legal problem with Lee Si-young's second pregnancy. On Channel A 'Kim Jin's Straightforward Show' on the 9th, lawyer Jung Hyuk-jin appeared and agreed when collecting the embryos, but after that, he changed his mind and did not want to get pregnant, or if he divorces, it could become a problem. However, even if they oppose embryo transfer or become pregnant unilaterally, they cannot be punished according to the principle of legality."




Lawyer Um Kyung-cheon, who appeared on YTN Radio 'YTN NewsFM Wise Radio Life' on the 10th, also said "Lee Si-young's pregnancy without the consent of her ex-spouse is not likely to cause legal problems. According to the consent form on embryo generation, etc., stipulated in the Enforcement Rules of the Bioethics Act, it is explicitly stipulated that embryos can be produced only for the purpose of pregnancy. If the consent was given in writing at the time of embryo creation and the consent is not withdrawn thereafter, no separate consent is required for embryo transfer. Therefore, in the case of Lee Si-young, it does not seem to be a legal problem to not obtain consent for embryo transfer."

However, even without legal issues, Lee's second pregnancy continued to lead to controversy. Lee Si-young's act of arbitrarily deciding to become a second pregnant woman without her ex-husband's consent after divorce is not morally correct. Lee Si-young's post comments were also criticized.

Eventually, Lee Si-young, who felt burdened, deleted the post announcing her second pregnancy and remained silent, stopping her active SNS activities. Attention is focusing on whether Lee Si-young, who proudly announced her second pregnancy, will break her silence and take her position again.





soulhn1220@sportschosun.com