Since February 2018, Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions System has begun in earnest pursuant to the ˹Act on Decisions on Life-sustaining Treatment for Patients in Hospice and Palliative Care or at the End of Life(hereinafter referred to as the “Act” or “Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions Act”)˼.

According to the Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions Act, the foundation has been laid for ensuring the best interests of patients and respecting patients’ self-determination in order for the patients to end their lives comfortably, for the patients at the end stage of life and in a state of imminent death in which there is no possibility of revitalization or recovery despite treatment and symptoms worsen rapidly.

As it is a law that is prepared after a long discussion, I hope that the life-sustaining treatment decisions system will be settled successfully, and I expect that the discussion for a beautiful ending of life will begin in our society and will be a desirable culture.

The Korea National Institute for Bioethics Policy, which is in charge of the tasks of National Agency for Management of Life-sustaining Treatment, helps the life-sustaining treatment decisions system be settled and implemented in a stable manner to meet the legislative purpose, and performs surveys and research to ensure that life-sustaining treatment, decision to withdraw or withhold LST and the implementation thereof can be properly managed.

I hope that our citizens will pay attention so that the culture in which one completes his or her life by oneself can become widespread.

Thank you.

Director of Korea National Institute for Bioethics Policy Kim Myeong-Hui