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Video Description

Type: KIHASA Policy Featurette

Topic: Who Signs the Medical Consent Form for a One-Person Household in a Hospital Emergency Department?

Speaker: Kim Se-jin, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services Policy Research, KIHASA

Transcript

Kim:

The last point I would like to make concerns the right to self-determination. Although this is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, it is often difficult for one-person households to exercise it because of the legal representation system, which limits legal representation to spouses or blood relatives. In such cases, it may be necessary, to some extent, to resort to government intervention or guardianship systems.

For example, individuals could appoint a representative in advance through advance medical care directives or by appointing someone to consent to medical procedures. In cases where this is not possible, the government could establish and operate official guardianship centers.

Narration:

Anyone can end up living alone for a variety of reasons. It is now time to seriously consider and develop tailored policies - such as housing support, domestic care services, emotional support, and help with end-of-life decisions - to ensure that people are not marginalized in our society simply because they live alone.