Medical futility in Korea

With the aging of the society and the increasing availability of modern medical practice, end-of-life issues and decisions about medical futility are becoming a critical problem in Korea. In spite of the big social and cultural changes in Korean society since the twentieth century, the traditional culture still has a strong influence on the current practice regarding end-of-life care. Major end-of-life decisions are still frequently made by the guardian of a patient with the attending physician; however, the concepts of patient autonomy and advance directives are being introduced in Korea. Withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment from patients in irreversible conditions based on their own wishes has been legally permitted since the decision by the Supreme Court in 2010. However, active euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide requested by patients is not permitted for the time being.