An Examination of Physician-assisted Suicide Policies in Several Countries

Abstract

In South Korea, a proposal that would legalize physician-assisted suicide was recently introduced in the National Assembly. According to this proposal, patients with a terminal illness who are experiencing constant and unbearable physical or mental suffering that cannot be alleviated could request medical assistance in the suspension of life. This article describes the current status of physician-assisted suicide in countries that have already legalized it, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada, and discusses some of the controversial aspects concerning the recent proposal to legalize physician-assisted suicide in South Korea.