为什么越来越多韩国人选择“尊严死”？

Core Points - The implementation of the "Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision Act" in South Korea since February 2018 has led to over 3 million adults, approximately 6.8% of the adult population, signing documents to refuse life-sustaining treatment [1][11] - The law allows adults aged 19 and above to voluntarily fill out advance directives to refuse or discontinue life-sustaining treatment, with a significant increase in registrations observed over the years [10][11] - The concept of "dignified death" is gaining acceptance in South Korea, particularly among the elderly, as societal attitudes towards death and dying evolve [5][9] Group 1 - Over 440,000 individuals have terminated life-sustaining treatment based on the law [3] - The number of people signing advance directives surged from about 86,000 in 2018 to over 300,000 by August 2025 [11] - The law outlines specific medical interventions that can be refused, including CPR, dialysis, cancer treatment, and mechanical ventilation [10][11] Group 2 - The aging population in South Korea is a significant factor driving the acceptance of "dignified death," with over 20% of the population aged 65 and above by the end of 2024 [9] - The cultural shift towards accepting death as a natural part of life is reflected in personal stories of individuals choosing to refuse life-sustaining treatments [5][6] - The law has led to a reduction in the number of patients dying in pain due to unnecessary medical interventions [29] Group 3 - There is a notable difference in the acceptance of "dignified death" among elderly women, with 24.9% of women aged 65 and above signing advance directives compared to 17.1% of men [38] - Economic factors play a role in the decision-making process, with lower-income individuals more likely to support "dignified death" due to the financial burden of prolonged medical care [33][34] - Despite the progress, many patients still face challenges in accessing adequate palliative care, particularly those with non-cancerous terminal illnesses [34][35]