[Interview] "Dignified Death is Premature... Social Pressure on Patients" [What Kind of Death]

⑥Opposition to Introducing Assisted Dignified Death
Priority on Supplementing the Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision Act
Pain Control Possible with Modern Medicine

Experts opposing the introduction of assisted dying unanimously stated that it is premature due to a lack of social preparedness and insufficient hospice systems. While solutions for patients suffering from extreme pain are absolutely necessary, they pointed out that hastily enacting assisted dying laws could act as a form of pressure on patients.

Professor Ko Yoon-seok, Department of Pulmonology, Asan Medical Center, Seoul.
[Photo by Asan Medical Center, Seoul]

◆Criticism of 'Dignified Death' as a 'Glossed-over Expression'

Professor Ko Yoon-seok of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Seoul Asan Medical Center said in an interview with Asia Economy, “Society is not ready to institutionalize assisted dying,” and added, “We should first work on supplementing the existing Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision Act.”

Professor Ko criticized the term 'dignified death' as a glossed-over expression that hinders proper social consensus. He said, “A recent public opinion poll showed that about 82% of the public support assisted dying, which may be influenced by people thinking, 'It must be something that lets you die comfortably.' If the term 'suicide' were used, the perception would be completely different. To clearly understand what is being discussed, we should use the intuitive and action-centered expression ‘physician-assisted dying.’”

Professor Ko raised concerns about the premature discussion of assisted dying, stating, “Currently, neither the medical community nor society is prepared.” He added, “Patients experiencing unbearable pain who have filed constitutional complaints should indeed receive medical assistance. However, if assisted dying is allowed without improving the medical system related to end-of-life care, situations may arise where patients make decisions due to social pressures such as family difficulties or economic reasons. Also, the pain individuals experience is difficult to objectify,” he warned.

He argued that government policy support should also be strengthened to improve the quality of life at the end of life. Professor Ko said, “Not only laws and systems but also improvements in awareness about care, empowerment of patients’ rights and capabilities, citizen participation, training and education of medical staff, and cultivation of citizen experts should proceed simultaneously. This is a policy area that must be addressed across all fields, including healthcare workforce development, resource allocation, and operation of medical institutions.”

Moon Ji-ho, President of the Medical Ethics Research Association.
[Photo by Myeong Ear Nose Throat Clinic]

◆Hospice as a Dignified Ending

Moon Ji-ho, chairman of the Medical Ethics Research Association, emphasized, “If a patient complains of extreme physical pain, modern medicine can provide more precise and safe pain relief through collaboration with pain management specialists. Overseas cases show that over 85% of those who chose assisted dying did so due to mental and spiritual suffering from losing the meaning of life rather than physical pain.” He stressed, “It is the role of medicine and society to discuss how to improve the physical and mental care methods for patients at the end of life.”

Chairman Moon explained that those who choose assisted dying often do so because they have lost the meaning of life rather than due to pain. He said, “With advances in modern medicine, even those who complain of severe pain can mostly have it alleviated to a manageable level. The real reason for wanting to die is that they cannot maintain their daily life and consider their existence?barely surviving on painkillers in a hospital bed?meaningless.”

Chairman Moon stated, “Hospice care does not cling to unnecessary treatments but helps patients find reasons to live. It includes reflecting on life with family and acquaintances, seeking reconciliation and forgiveness, exchanging words of gratitude and love, organizing inheritances and preparing funerals, and discussing the approaching death and the afterlife with clergy.”

He criticized assisted dying for not honoring death with dignity as its name suggests. Chairman Moon said, “Assisted dying lacks dignity and is merely administrative processing. Applicants must pay a substantial membership fee to maintain their status. They bear costs of about 20 million won for review fees, accommodation, and airfare. With that amount, it is far more reasonable to receive hospice care benefits covered by health insurance at the end of life and to organize one’s life with dignity.”