Korea Designates New Centers for Advance Care Directives

MOHW Expands Access to End-of-Life Care Planning

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) officially announced on April 1, 2026, the results of its first round of designations for institutions authorized to register Advance Directives for Life-Sustaining Treatment this year. This initiative is set to significantly broaden the network of facilities where individuals can formally document their end-of-life care wishes, reinforcing patient autonomy in healthcare decisions.

An Advance Directive for Life-Sustaining Treatment (사전연명의료의향서) in South Korea is a legal document that allows individuals aged 19 or older to express their intention to forgo or withdraw specific life-sustaining medical treatments. These treatments typically include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), mechanical ventilation, chemotherapy, and dialysis, should they face a terminal illness or an irreversible coma when they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves. This system ensures that a patient’s preferences regarding their final medical care are respected and legally binding.

The designation of these new institutions, which follows a prior announcement on February 27, 2026 (MOHW Public Notice No. 2026-172), aims to improve public accessibility to comprehensive counseling and registration services for these directives. The newly designated centers are equipped to provide detailed information, assist in drafting the directives, and ensure their official registration with the National Agency for Management of Life-Sustaining Treatment, making them legally enforceable.

While the specific list of the newly designated institutions was attached to the original Korean notice, this expansion marks a crucial step in strengthening the infrastructure for advance care planning across the nation. It reflects the government’s commitment to empowering citizens to make informed and personal choices about their healthcare journey, particularly as they approach end-of-life care. Individuals interested in learning more or registering an advance directive are encouraged to consult the MOHW website or contact designated institutions for further guidance.

Source: 보건복지부 — Original Article (Korean)