@article{ART003351146},
author={Choi Eunkyung},
title={End-of-Life Preferences and the Necessity of Healthcare Proxy Designation},
journal={Korean Journal of Medical Ethics },
issn={2005-8284},
year={2026},
volume={29},
number={2},
pages={81-85}
TY - JOUR
AU - Choi Eunkyung
TI - End-of-Life Preferences and the Necessity of Healthcare Proxy Designation
JO - Korean Journal of Medical Ethics
PY - 2026
VL - 29
IS - 2
PB - The Korean Society For Medical Ethics
SP - 81
EP - 85
SN - 2005-8284
AB - This commentary examines the structural constraints on implementing end-of-life preferences in South Korea, arguing that a healthcare proxy designation system is essential. While current policy relegates proxy designation to a supplementary role when family members are unavailable, we contend that it is a fundamental component of advance care planning. Korea’s Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision Act excluded designated proxies from its framework, requiring instead either explicit advance directives or family consensus; however, this exclusion mistakenly treats surrogate decision-making as disconnected from, rather than an extension of, patient autonomy. Conversely, international frameworks recognize proxy designation and living wills as interconnected exercises of self-determination grounded in the substituted judgment standard. Appointing a healthcare proxy is an active exercise of prospective self-determination that extends a patient’s values into future incapacity. In contrast, Korea’s current framework, which assumes kinship automatically qualifies surrogates, overlooks the reality that authentic surrogate choice demands deep understanding and trust. Without legal recognition of patient-designated proxies, implementing end-of-life preferences remains severely constrained.
KW - advance directives;proxy;terminal care;personal autonomy;decision making;The Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision Act
DO -
UR -
ER -
Choi Eunkyung. (2026). End-of-Life Preferences and the Necessity of Healthcare Proxy Designation. Korean Journal of Medical Ethics , 29(2), 81-85.
Choi Eunkyung. 2026, "End-of-Life Preferences and the Necessity of Healthcare Proxy Designation", Korean Journal of Medical Ethics , vol.29, no.2 pp.81-85.
Choi Eunkyung "End-of-Life Preferences and the Necessity of Healthcare Proxy Designation" Korean Journal of Medical Ethics 29.2 pp.81-85 (2026) : 81.
Choi Eunkyung. End-of-Life Preferences and the Necessity of Healthcare Proxy Designation. 2026; 29(2), 81-85.
Choi Eunkyung. "End-of-Life Preferences and the Necessity of Healthcare Proxy Designation" Korean Journal of Medical Ethics 29, no.2 (2026) : 81-85.
Choi Eunkyung. End-of-Life Preferences and the Necessity of Healthcare Proxy Designation. Korean Journal of Medical Ethics , 29(2), 81-85.
Choi Eunkyung. End-of-Life Preferences and the Necessity of Healthcare Proxy Designation. Korean Journal of Medical Ethics . 2026; 29(2) 81-85.
Choi Eunkyung. End-of-Life Preferences and the Necessity of Healthcare Proxy Designation. 2026; 29(2), 81-85.
Choi Eunkyung. "End-of-Life Preferences and the Necessity of Healthcare Proxy Designation" Korean Journal of Medical Ethics 29, no.2 (2026) : 81-85.
