The Potential Impact of “Assisted Dignified Death” on Korean Society

As South Korea rapidly transitions into a super-aged society by late 2024, public interest in end-of-life care has reached an unprecedented peak. Public opinion polls also indicate a high level of expectation among citizens for the legalization of “Assisted Dignified Death”. A bill to amend the “Act on Decisions on Life-Sustaining Treatment”, aiming to legalize “Assisted Dignified Death”(generally understood as physician-assisted suicide), has been submitted to the National Assembly. This paper analyzes the changes and challenges observed in countries that have legalized euthanasia/physician-assisted suicide. This analysis highlights critical issues, including the broadening of eligibility criteria, the erosion of hospice and palliative care services, and the implementation of euthanasia/physician-assisted suicide for vulnerable individuals in need of care. Building on these observations, we then discuss the potential problems that could arise if such legislation were enacted in South Korea. Significant concerns are underscored given South Korea's high suicide rate and poverty rate among the elderly, the inadequacy of its existing end-of-life medical and care systems, and the generally low quality of death experienced. Furthermore, numerous worrisome implications are pointed out if “Assisted Dignified Death” were permitted under the current Korean healthcare system. Finally, recognizing that an increasing elderly population inevitably leads to a rise in deaths, this paper explores strategies for achieving a good death in South Korea as it stands on the cusp of becoming a “mass-death” society.