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Seoul: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Seoul-410269 960 720.jpg|400px | thumb|right|]]
{| class="wikitable" style="width:200px; border:1px solid black;float:right"
|-
|colspan="8" style="text-align:center"|[[File:Seoul-410269 960 720.jpg|300px | thumb|right|]]
|-
| '''Contraception: Over-the-Counter'''
| condoms, pills
|-
| '''Contraception: Prescription/Clinic Required'''
| IUD, implant, ring (call pharmacy in advance to request)
|-
| '''Emergency Contraception'''
| prescription required
|-
| '''STIs'''
| no travel restrictions; HIV-positive foreigner deported
|-
| '''Menstrual Products'''
| pads, tampons, cups
|-
| '''Abortion Law'''
| legal in restricted circumstances (law is in transition & may change)
|-
| '''LGBTQ Laws'''
| homosexuality legal; gender change legal
|-
| '''Related Pages'''
| [[Busan]], [[South Korea]]
|-
|}
 


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As the largest city in South Korea, Seoul has fantastic and varied medical services. Contraceptives can be purchased at pharmacies over-the-counter though you need a doctor's prescription for emergency contraception. While many facilities offer STD tests, it is important to exercise caution and choose anonymous testing centers. If you are a foreigner and test positive for HIV/AIDS or syphilis, you will most likely be deported from South Korea. While abortion is illegal, there are accounts of women secretly obtaining abortions. If you are pregnant and have the means to travel, it is advisable to seek abortions elsewhere, such as in mainland [[China]], [[Hong Kong]] or [[Japan]].
As the largest city in South Korea, Seoul has advanced and varied medical services. Contraceptives (birth control) can be purchased at pharmacies over-the-counter though you need a doctor's prescription for emergency contraception. While many facilities offer STI tests, it is important to exercise caution and choose anonymous testing centers. If you are a foreigner and test positive for HIV/AIDS or syphilis, you will most likely be deported from South Korea. For many years, abortion was illegal, but the laws are currently in a state of transition (see "Abortion" section below for details). As of 2021, abortion appears to be on its way to being decriminalized, but abortion is still not available upon demand.<ref>[https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/12/south-korea-partially-recognizes-reproductive-rights South Korea Partially Recognizes Reproductive Rights]</ref>


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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== <!--T:7-->
===Laws & Social Stigmas=== <!--T:7-->
''For full coverage of this topic, you can visit the main article on the [https://gynopedia.org/South_Korea#Laws_.26_Social_Stigmas South Korea] page.''


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Contraceptives are completely legal in South Korea, and they can typically be purchased without a prescription.<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception Availability]</ref> You can buy many birth control brands, like Mercilon, without a prescription at pharmacies (if you ask the pharmacist for it). However, some contraceptive brands may require a prescription. For example, a female backpacker said that South Korean pharmacists told her that she needed a prescription for Yasmin.
In South Korea, you can purchase condoms and birth control pills at pharmacies without a prescription.<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception Availability]</ref> <ref>[http://freethepill.org/where-on-earth/ Free the Pill: Where on Earth?]</ref> You can buy many birth control brands, like Mercilon, without a prescription at pharmacies (if you ask the pharmacist for it). However, some contraceptive brands may require a prescription. For example, a female backpacker said that South Korean pharmacists told her that she needed a prescription for Yasmin. However, for other forms of birth control, such as implants, injectables, and IUDs, you may need to directly visit a hospital or clinic to obtain them.


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In 2012, President Pak Geun-Hye and his conservative government announced that the Korean Food & Drug Administration was considering reclassification of birth control pills, which would make the pills prescription-only. This caused public outrage and wide online discussion of the issue. Three months later, the proposal was dropped. It was decided to put the reclassification on hold for three years -- and, to this day, it seems to remain on hold. As reported in Korea Bang, "Asides from the 'woman’s right to choose' argument, one of the reasons Korean women get upset over the issue is perhaps cultural: unmarried Korean women rarely visit a gynaecologist. Even when seriously ill, a visit to a gynaecology clinic would be reluctant for fear of the disapproving stares around them. That’s not to mention the social pressure on Korean women to remain sexually naïve."<ref>[http://www.koreabang.com/2012/stories/law-on-contraceptive-pill-changes.html Law on Contraceptive Pill Changes]</ref>
In 2012, President Pak Geun-Hye and her conservative government announced that the Korean Food & Drug Administration was considering reclassification of birth control pills, which would make the pills prescription-only. This caused public outrage and wide online discussion of the issue. Three months later, the proposal was dropped. It was decided to put the reclassification on hold for three years -- and, to this day, it seems to remain on hold. As reported in Korea Bang, "Asides from the 'woman’s right to choose' argument, one of the reasons Korean women get upset over the issue is perhaps cultural: unmarried Korean women rarely visit a gynaecologist. Even when seriously ill, a visit to a gynaecology clinic would be reluctant for fear of the disapproving stares around them. That’s not to mention the social pressure on Korean women to remain sexually naïve."<ref>[http://www.koreabang.com/2012/stories/law-on-contraceptive-pill-changes.html Law on Contraceptive Pill Changes]</ref>


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According to a 2015 UN report, it was found that 78.7% of South Korean women (who were married/in unions and of reproductive age) used some form contraception. The most common methods were condoms (23.9%), male sterilization (16.5%), IUDs (12.6%), the rhythm method (9.7%) and female sterilization (5.8%).<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> Meanwhile, the usage of birth control pills by South Korean was very low, with estimates ranging between 2%<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> and 2.8%.<ref>[http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20120607000915 Korean Herald])</ref> Many men and women also underwent the forced sterilization programs of the 1970s and 1980s.<ref>[https://thegrandnarrative.com/2012/02/16/korean-family-planning/ Learning From Korean Family Planning Advertisements of the 1960s-1980s]</ref>
According to a 2015 UN report, it was found that 78.7% of South Korean women (who were married/in unions and of reproductive age) used some form contraception. The most common methods were condoms (23.9%), male sterilization (16.5%), IUDs (12.6%), the rhythm method (9.7%) and female sterilization (5.8%).<ref name="un_contraceptivesreport2015">[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> Meanwhile, the usage of birth control pills by South Korean was very low, with estimates ranging between 2%<ref name="un_contraceptivesreport2015" /> and 2.8%.<ref>[http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20120607000915 Korean Herald])</ref> Many men and women also underwent the forced sterilization programs of the 1970s and 1980s.<ref>[https://thegrandnarrative.com/2012/02/16/korean-family-planning/ Learning From Korean Family Planning Advertisements of the 1960s-1980s]</ref>


===What to Get & Where to Get It=== <!--T:11-->
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== <!--T:11-->


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* For a comprehensive list of contraceptive options in South Korea, click [http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=KR here].
* In Korean, '''birth control pills''' are 피임약 (pronounced "pi-im yak"), and they can be purchased in pharmacies. The most popular brand in South Korea is Mercilon (머시론), which is produced by Merck (an American pharmaceutical company). However, there are many other pill options, including Alesse, Diane-35, Meliane, Minivlar, Minulet, Myvlar, Sexcon, Triquilar, Yasmin and Yaz.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=KR IPPF South Korea]</ref> There's also 에이리스, which is a low hormone option, costs about 10,000 won for a 21-pill pack. Another brand is  멜리안정 (me-li-an-jung), but some users have reported loss of sex drive. There's also 센스리베.
* You can purchase '''condoms''' in convenience stores, pharmacies, Olive Young, Watson's, and sometimes in subway vending machines.
* You can purchase '''condoms''' in convenience stores, pharmacies, Olive Young, Watson's, and sometimes in subway vending machines.
* You can get the '''Nuvaring''' in South Korea, but only at large pharmacies and they need to order it one day in advance because it is a rare request. It is not kept in stock. It considered only for young women, so a pharmacy near a university is a good option. One pharmacy that can definitely get it it is the one located next door to Miz Medi hospital on Dogok-ro in Daechi-dong, half way between the Hanti and Daechi stops. Please note that NuvaRing is NOT covered by the Korean national insurance, unlike other birth controls.  
* In Korean, '''birth control pills''' are 피임약 (pronounced "pi-im yak"), and they can be purchased in pharmacies. You can just walk into a pharmacy and ask for birth control pills, which are sold over-the-counter (no prescription required).
* If you want the '''contraceptive patch''', Evra (produced by Janssen-Cilag) should be available in South Korea.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=KR IPPF South Korea]</ref>
* If you want a prescription for birth control pills, or if you require a contraceptive that requires a prescription, you can go to a women’s hospital (여성의원). You can visit the [https://expatguidekorea.com/k:women%2527s+hospital Expat Guide Korea website for Women's Hospital] options. If you don't speak Korean, you may want to visit an international hospital or clinic, which will have staff that speak different languages.<ref name="koreahealth_bc">[https://www.koreahealthpages.com/article/birth-control-and-the-morning-after-pill-in-south-korea.html Birth Control and The Morning After Pill in South Korea]</ref>
* If you want the '''contraceptive implant''', Implanon (produced by Merck) should be available in South Korea.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=KR IPPF South Korea]</ref>
* The most popular birth control pill brand in South Korea is Mercilon (머시론), which is produced by Merck (an American pharmaceutical company). However, there are many other pill options, including Alesse, Diane-35, Meliane, Minivlar, Minulet, Myvlar, Sexcon, Triquilar, Yasmin and Yaz.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=KR IPPF South Korea]</ref> There's also 에이리스, which is a low hormone option, costs about 10,000 won for a 21-pill pack. Another brand is  멜리안정 (me-li-an-jung), but some users have reported loss of sex drive. There's also 센스리베.
* It appears that you can get the '''Nuvaring''' in South Korea, but we don't have much information on this (anyone?).
* You can get an '''intra-uterine device (IUD)''' in South Korea. In Korean, it is 자궁 내 장치. There are multiple options available, including copper, hormonal (Mirena), and Skyla.<ref name="bciud_sk_expatguide">[https://www.expatguidekorea.com/article/birth-control-contraception-and-mirena-iud-insertion-in-korea.html Birth Control, Contraception and Mirena IUD insertion in Korea]</ref>
* If you want the '''contraceptive patch''', Evra (produced by Janssen-Cilag) should be available in South Korea.<ref name="ippf_southkorea" />
* If you want the '''contraceptive implant''', Implanon (produced by Merck) should be available in South Korea.<ref name="ippf_southkorea" />
* As for '''IUDs''' in South Korea, one poster on Reddit wrote: "IUDs are great, but the general consensus over here, unlike in the US, is that they're bad for unmarried women, so she may have trouble getting a doctor to consider it here. I had a hospital gynecologist here who tried very hard to convince me to have mine taken out.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/korea/comments/3aa0ve/help_buying_birth_control_pills_in_korea/?st=iqqfllv1&sh=e4b2441d Help! Buying Birth Control in South Korea...]</ref>
* As for '''IUDs''' in South Korea, one poster on Reddit wrote: "IUDs are great, but the general consensus over here, unlike in the US, is that they're bad for unmarried women, so she may have trouble getting a doctor to consider it here. I had a hospital gynecologist here who tried very hard to convince me to have mine taken out.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/korea/comments/3aa0ve/help_buying_birth_control_pills_in_korea/?st=iqqfllv1&sh=e4b2441d Help! Buying Birth Control in South Korea...]</ref>


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Birth control pills are 6-8,000 won for one month’s supply.
* The cost of '''birth control pills''' depends on where you buy the pills and which brands you purchase.
** If you go directly to a pharmacy, you can expect to pay 7,500-9,500 won for pills available over-the-counter (prices from April 2020).<ref>[https://koreahealthpages.com/article/how-to-get-over-the-counter-birth-control-pills-in-south-korea.html How to Get Over-The-Counter Contraception Pills in South Korea]</ref>
** If you get birth control pills prescribed by a doctor, you can expect to pay 25,000-33,000 won for a prescription pack (prices from April 2020).<ref name="koreahealth_bc" /> <ref name="jivaka_bc_sk">[https://www.jivaka.care/cost-birth-control-pills-korea/#Multiwhat_Understanding_the_Difference_between_Birth_Control_Pills Cost of Birth Control Pills in Korea: Country Comparison]</ref>
** Birth control pill brands like Myvolar, Myvlar, and Microgestin are cheaper. Yaz is more expensive.<ref name="jivaka_bc_sk" />
* The cost of an '''IUD''' ranges from 70,000 won to 400,000 won (as of July 2018). The payment is usually not covered by Korean health insurance.<ref>[https://www.expatguidekorea.com/article/birth-control-contraception-and-mirena-iud-insertion-in-korea.html Birth Control, Contraception and Mirena IUD insertion in Korea]</ref> One person reported receiving a quote of 150,000 won for non-hormonal copper IUD and 350,000 won for Mirena (a hormonal IUD) in 2020.<ref>[https://www.expatkidskorea.com/article/getting-an-iud-in-korea.html Getting an IUD in Korea]</ref>


==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== <!--T:18-->
==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== <!--T:18-->
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For dedicated EC that is anti-progestin, there's ellaOne (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex). For dedicated EC that is progestin only, there's After1, Norlevo One and Postinor 1 (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex). There's also Levonia, Levonormin, MS Pill and Sexcon One&One (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex). If you absolutely cannot secure emergency contraceptives, you can use some oral contraceptives as EC instead. In Korea, there's Minivlar or Sexcon (take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later) or Alesse (take 5 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 5 more pills 12 hours later).<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton Emergency Contraception Website</ref>
For dedicated EC that is anti-progestin, there's ellaOne (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex). For dedicated EC that is progestin only, there's After1, Norlevo One and Postinor 1 (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex). There's also Levonia, Levonormin, MS Pill and Sexcon One&One (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex). If you absolutely cannot secure emergency contraceptives, you can use some oral contraceptives as EC instead. In Korea, there's Minivlar or Sexcon (take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later) or Alesse (take 5 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 5 more pills 12 hours later).<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton Emergency Contraception Website]</ref>


===Costs=== <!--T:26-->
===Costs=== <!--T:26-->
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* [http://khap.org/ Korea Federation for HIV/AIDS Prevention (KHAP)]: Provides free & anonymous tests for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, urethritis. Their HIV test are only for foreigners ("Our Testing both HIV Rapid and STD at any centers is offering basically for foreigners, not Koreans. Koreans are not available."). Reservation required by phone or website. Address: 30-6. Donam 1-dong Seongbuk-gu. 136-890. SEOUL KOREA ㆍTEL.82-2-927-4322 ㆍFax.82-2-927-4017, E-mail:khap@kaids.or.kr.
* [http://khap.org/ Korea Federation for HIV/AIDS Prevention (KHAP)]: Provides free & anonymous tests for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, urethritis. Their HIV tests are only for foreigners ("Our Testing both HIV Rapid and STD at any centers is offering basically for foreigners, not Koreans. Koreans are not available."). Reservation required by phone or website. Address: 30-6. Donam 1-dong Seongbuk-gu. 136-890. SEOUL KOREA ㆍTEL.82-2-927-4322 ㆍFax.82-2-927-4017, E-mail:khap@kaids.or.kr.


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While tampons are available, they are not sold everywhere, as most South Korean women only use them for swimming.
The most commonly used menstrual product in South Korea is pads/pantyliners.  While tampons are available, they are not sold everywhere, as most South Korean women only use them for swimming.
 
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As of October 2017, South Korea still does not officially permit the sale of menstrual cups. While the country manufactures menstrual cups that are sold to other countries, the government has not approved of such sales within South Korea.<ref>[http://helloflo.com/menstrual-cups-that-are-made-in-south-korea-can-be-sold-in-the-us-but-not-in-south-korea/ Menstrual Cups That Are Made In South Korea Can Be Sold In The US, But Not In South Korea]</ref>
 
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There is a movement of DIY menstrual products, partially in reaction to the expensive prices of menstrual products in the country. To learn more about the movement, click [https://qz.com/995025/an-outcry-over-diy-period-pads-has-sparked-a-national-menstruation-conversation-in-korea/ here].


===What to Get & Where to Get It=== <!--T:55-->
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== <!--T:55-->
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===Costs=== <!--T:57-->
===Costs=== <!--T:57-->
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* The cost of pads/sanitary napkins (the most common menstrual product in South Korea) is expensive, and the prices continue to rise. On GMarket (the largest ecommerce site in South Korea), a 10-pack of pads costs 2,700원 , as of December 2017. This is more expensive than in many other developed countries. Meanwhile, some pad brands have experienced up to a 42% price increase between 2016 and 2017. To learn more about concerns related to pricing, click [https://qz.com/995025/an-outcry-over-diy-period-pads-has-sparked-a-national-menstruation-conversation-in-korea/ here].


==Gynecological Exams== <!--T:58-->
==Gynecological Exams== <!--T:58-->
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As of 2021, abortion has been decriminalized in South Korea.<ref>[https://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/south-korea-abortion-decriminalized-since-january-1-2021/ South Korea: Abortion Decriminalized since January 1, 2021]</ref>
Old info:
In April 2019, the Constitutional Court in South Korea ruled that the current abortion laws are unconstitutional. This is a victory for pro-choice activists in South Korea, as well as the majority of South Korean women who support liberalization of the laws. So, what's next? Lawmakers will need to develop new abortion laws by 2020 --and, if they don't, the current law will become null and void. We will update this page as changes develop. However, as of April 2019, the current laws are still in place.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/11/world/asia/south-korea-abortion-ban-ruling.html South Korea Rules Anti-Abortion Law Unconstitutional]</ref>''
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Abortion is illegal in South Korea, except in special cases. While the original law in 1953 restricted all abortion, this was changed in 1973 under the Maternal and Child Health Law. With these changes, an abortion could be performed by a physician if 1) the pregnant woman or her spouse suffer from a hereditary mental/physical disease specified by Presidential Decree 2) the pregnant woman or her spouse suffer from a communicable disease specified by Presidential Decree 3) the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest 4) the continuation of the pregnancy threatens the woman's life. In all other cases, abortion is illegal and a woman who induces her own abortion may be subject to imprisonment for one year or a fine. Medical personnel who illegally induce an abortion may face up to two years of imprisonment.  
Abortion is illegal in South Korea, except in special cases. While the original law in 1953 restricted all abortion, this was changed in 1973 under the Maternal and Child Health Law. With these changes, an abortion could be performed by a physician if 1) the pregnant woman or her spouse suffer from a hereditary mental/physical disease specified by Presidential Decree 2) the pregnant woman or her spouse suffer from a communicable disease specified by Presidential Decree 3) the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest 4) the continuation of the pregnancy threatens the woman's life. In all other cases, abortion is illegal and a woman who induces her own abortion may be subject to imprisonment for one year or a fine. Medical personnel who illegally induce an abortion may face up to two years of imprisonment.  


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If you're interested in obtaining an abortion in an East Asian country with more lenient abortion laws, you may want to check out [[Japan]], [[China]], [[Hong Kong]], or [[Vietnam]].
If you're interested in obtaining an abortion in an East Asian country with more lenient abortion laws, you may want to check out [[Japan]], [[China]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Vietnam]] or [[Cambodia]].


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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== <!--T:76-->
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== <!--T:76-->
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* Note: Check out this useful [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-6t0A-um1_tODApRTc20pwpx0kJozzGsu_ytpQUteno/mobilebasic guide] to getting an abortion in South Korea, written in 2017.


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* [http://www.womenonweb.org Women on Web]: Contact them for Misoprostol.
* [http://www.womenonweb.org Women on Web]: Contact them for Misoprostol.
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* Here's a list of countries in the region that provide abortion on request: [[China]], [[Vietnam]], [[Cambodia]].


===Costs=== <!--T:81-->
===Costs=== <!--T:81-->
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|title=Gynopedia
|title=Gynopedia
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|titlemode=append
|keywords=seoul, south korea, contraception, emergency contraception, birth control, morning after pill, plan b, hiv, menstrual cup, divacup, mooncup, std test, sti test, treatment, medications, pharmacies, abortion, clinic, tampons, women's health
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|description=Find sexual, reproductive and women's health care in Seoul.
|description=Find sexual, reproductive and women's health care in Seoul.
}}
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