Seoul Pregnancy Guidelines Controversy 2026: Outdated Advice Sparks New Global Outrage

Can doing the dishes replace a workout for a pregnant woman? On January 7, 2026, screenshots of the Seoul city government's pregnancy guidelines went viral on X (Twitter) once again. Although the content was originally removed in 2021 following intense backlash, its reappearance has ignited a fresh firestorm of international criticism regarding South Korea's deeply ingrained gender norms.

Seoul Pregnancy Guidelines Controversy 2026: Why It's Viral

The guidelines, which were reportedly overseen by the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, offer highly specific and controversial advice for various stages of pregnancy. At 19 weeks, women are encouraged to handle household chores like cleaning to manage their weight. At 22 weeks, they're told to hang up pre-marriage outfits to motivate themselves to stay thin.

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The most severe criticism stems from the 35-week mark instructions. The manual advises women to stock the fridge with instant meals for their "unskilled" husbands and ensure a fresh supply of clothes is ready for them while the mother is at the hospital giving birth.

A Pattern of Institutional Misogyny?

According to reports by The Guardian and Yonhap News, this isn't an isolated incident. In 2018, the government faced backlash for high school guidelines stating women should focus on looks while men focus on finances. Global netizens have reacted with disbelief, with some calling the advice a "manual for a slave" and expressing solidarity with South Korean women facing these societal pressures.