"The Only Way to End Pain"... Koreans Leaving for Switzerland [Eotteon Jugeum]

Hope for Patients with No Chance of Recovery
Challenging Swiss Approval Process
162 Korean Members of Dignitas Last Year

Editor's NoteDeath is something everyone experiences, but in our society, it is a taboo word that is difficult to utter openly. Although interest in dignified death and the right to self-determination is increasing, social discussions are virtually nonexistent. This is because people avoid mentioning it, conscious of ethical and religious objections. Asia Economy diagnoses the domestic situation, legislation, pros and cons, overseas cases, and expert opinions over six installments to create a public forum on assisted dignified death.

Dignitas Homepage. [Image Source=Dignitas]

In the fall of 2020, Mr. Jo (79) was diagnosed with breast cancer that had metastasized to his bones. Sharp pains felt like knives piercing indiscriminately through every joint. He was a more positive and active person than anyone else, but he could not overcome the extreme pain. Due to the side effects of chemotherapy, his hair, fingernails, and toenails all fell out. The skin on his hands and feet peeled off, and he suffered from unbearable itching. Eventually, the cancer spread to his stomach, lungs, and skin, and hospital life was no longer an option. At some point, he thought the only way to end the pain was death.

On the 4th, Nam Yuha, Mr. Jo’s daughter, whom we met in Jongno-gu, Seoul, said, “My mother used to say she didn’t want to end her life in the ICU or a nursing hospital. Because the pain was so severe, she even made specific plans, which shocked me.” She added, “We learned that Switzerland has an assisted dignified death system for foreigners, and it became my mother’s only hope to end her life with dignity. None of the family could stop her decision,” shedding tears.

Last spring, when her eldest sister passed away in a nursing hospital, Mr. Jo’s resolve grew stronger. She was displeased with her sister’s life, dependent on an oxygen respirator while unconscious. Medical advances have extended life spans, but most lives end in hospital beds. Some people want this, but others do not. Mr. Jo wanted to live fully by his own will rather than end his life in a hospital. So, he decided to exercise his right to self-determination regarding death.

Nam Yuha and her mother are smiling brightly.
[Photo by Nam Yuha]

The process of obtaining the ‘Green Light (permission)’ for assisted dignified death at Dignitas in Switzerland was not easy. It took nearly two months from numerous documents to complicated approval procedures. In particular, the expression ‘depressed’ in the life report documenting medical history became an issue. It had to be explained that ‘depressed’ was a metaphorical expression and a cultural misunderstanding. The English medical records were initially written too simply and had to be resubmitted. The journey to a dignified end of life was not easy, and psychological pressure increased with each step. Fortunately, Mr. Jo was able to complete all procedures with his daughter’s help.

Mr. Jo’s last wish is that other critically ill patients may end their lives with dignity in our country. There is great emotional anxiety about facing death in an unfamiliar place, and the 13-hour flight to Switzerland is another pain for patients. For those facing death, the remaining time is extremely precious. However, due to the absence of assisted dignified death, precious time to be with loved ones is wasted on preparing documents and traveling to Switzerland. Mr. Jo repeatedly told his daughter every day, “I hope people like me never have to suffer like this.”

The situation of patients actually traveling to Switzerland is similar. In 2022, Mr. Park underwent colon cancer surgery but was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer due to metastasis. Peritoneal cancer is a rare cancer with no early symptoms, making early diagnosis difficult. In fact, when cancer is found in the peritoneum, the disease is often already too advanced to treat. Mr. Park’s mother died in 2017 after a 10-year battle with ovarian cancer. Having experienced the end of cancer treatment life, his trip to Switzerland is paradoxical but like a last leaf.

Mr. Park’s pain is worsening, and the hospital medication is becoming less effective. Now, the fear of ending his life alone at home overwhelms him. So, he began to look into ways to go to Switzerland while the pain was still somewhat bearable. Mr. Park said, “Assisted dignified death is a system that will be introduced someday. I don’t know why it’s taking so long,” and lamented, “The right to end life without pain as a human being should be respected.”

Dignitas is a nonprofit organization that assists patients with no chance of recovery in assisted dignified death. Through this organization, one Korean ended life in 2016, one in 2018, one in 2021, one in 2022, and three in 2023. The number of Korean members steadily increased: 32 in 2018, 58 in 2019, 72 in 2020, 104 in 2021, 117 in 2022, and 162 in 2023. Dignitas emphasized via email, “Our goal is the day when Dignitas is no longer needed,” adding, “We hope that laws in other countries will be revised so that people worldwide do not have to come to Switzerland and can have the final choice in life.”