韩媒：拒绝维持生命治疗，300万韩国人选择“尊严死”

Group 1 - The implementation of the "Life-Sustaining Medical Treatment Decision Act" in South Korea since February 2018 has led to over 3 million adults signing documents to refuse life-sustaining treatment, representing approximately 6.8% of the adult population [1] - As of October 9, 2023, more than 440,000 individuals have terminated life-sustaining treatment based on this law, with a significant increase in registrations from about 86,000 in 2018 to over 1 million in 2021, and surpassing 3 million in 2023 [1] - The law allows adults aged 19 and above to fill out advance directives at designated registration institutions, specifying their wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment during the "end-of-life process" [1] Group 2 - The current legal framework restricts the application of the law to patients in the "end-of-life process," which has led to controversies, such as a case in 2023 where a terminal cancer patient was unable to have their treatment terminated due to being in a comatose state [2] - In response to the narrow scope of the law, members of the Democratic Party of Korea have proposed amendments to expand the law's applicability to include patients in terminal and potentially fatal stages, aiming to enhance patient autonomy and quality of life [2] - The proposed amendments are currently under review by the National Assembly [2]