Two Koreans die in Swiss euthanasia facility
A local paper reported that one of the Koreans had late-stage cancer. gettyimagesbank
By Jung Min-ho
Two Koreans have died in a Swiss euthanasia facility in recent years.
Dignitas, a non-profit society that provides assisted or accompanied suicide to its members, said Tuesday that two Koreans had died in its facility ― one in 2016 and the other in 2018.
According to
― a local daily that first reported on the people ― one of them had late-stage cancer.
Dignitas says it helps members with severe physical or mental illnesses to end their lives. Founded in 1998, more than 2,700 people have died with its aid.
According to its website, all adults can become members regardless of their nationalities. As of the end of 2018, 32 Korean nationals were registered as members.
In Korea, terminally ill patients can refuse artificial life-extending treatment, but euthanasia is prohibited.