UCA News
Contribute

South Korean law prompts call for death education

Ethics needs to be at center of legislation allowing incurably ill patients to reject life-prolonging treatment
South Korean law prompts call for death education
Published: May 26, 2016 05:05 AM GMT
Updated: May 26, 2016 05:19 AM GMT

Education on advance care planning for incurably ill patients is crucial for the proper implementation of a new Korean law that will allow patients to say no to life-prolonging treatment was a key message from a church seminar.

Seminar participants discussed the necessity of education to help assist Koreans properly understand the meaning of death so that the new law can be correctly implemented once it becomes enforceable from January 2018.

"The implementation of the act should aim for promoting an advanced care planning culture through conversations between patients and medical teams," said Father Sebastian Jung Jae-woo who attended the May 21 seminar organized by the Korean bishops' Committee for Bioethics and the Seoul Archdiocese's Committee for Life.

"Especially, we need to prepare thinking and sharing ideas on ethical aspects of medical treatment," the priest said.

The seminar also discussed developing guidelines for life prolongation decisions based on Catholic values.

The church has been critical of aspects of the law such as how it lacks a process that checks a patient's intention and on matters related to family members deciding a patient's intent. The church has also been critical of the media's coverage of the issue.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia