World Scene: Republic of Korea
China Daily | Updated: 2008-12-18 07:47
Assisted death debate
A hospital in the Republic of Korea (RoK) said yesterday that it would appeal a court order to allow a comatose patient die by removing her from a respirator, saying the ruling could devalue human life.
The Seoul Western District Court last month ordered Severance Hospital to disconnect a 76-year-old woman from a respirator, saying she had a right to die with dignity. The ruling came after her children filed a lawsuit because the hospital had refused to do so.
"We should make decisions carefully on matters of human life," said Severance Hospital spokesman Lee Sung-man.
(China Daily 12/18/2008 page11)
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