Since February 2018, Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions System has begun in earnest pursuant to the ˹Act on Decisions on Life-sustaining Treatment for Patients in Hospice and Palliative Care or at the End of Life(hereinafter referred to as the “Act” or “Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions Act”)˼.

According to the Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions Act, the foundation has been laid for ensuring the best interests of patients and respecting patients’ self-determination in order for the patients to end their lives comfortably, for the patients at the end stage of life and in a state of imminent death in which there is no possibility of revitalization or recovery despite treatment and symptoms worsen rapidly.

As it is a law that is prepared after a long discussion, I hope that the life-sustaining treatment decisions system will be settled successfully, and I expect that the discussion for a beautiful ending of life will begin in our society and will be a desirable culture.

The Korea National Institute for Bioethics Policy, which is in charge of the tasks of National Agency for Management of Life-sustaining Treatment, helps the life-sustaining treatment decisions system be settled and implemented in a stable manner to meet the legislative purpose, and performs surveys and research to ensure that life-sustaining treatment, decision to withdraw or withhold LST and the implementation thereof can be properly managed.

I hope that our citizens will pay attention so that the culture in which one completes his or her life by oneself can become widespread.

Thank you.