Is euthanasia legal in South Korea?
Passive only
Passive euthanasia is legal, while active euthanasia remains illegal in South Korea.
South Korea is one of 11 countries classified “Passive only” for euthanasia — 29% of the 38 with data. (Also searched as assisted dying.)
Source
- Taken from
- Wikipedia: Legality of euthanasia
- Last checked
- 17 September 2026
- How it was classified
- Classified by a language model from the source text, then checked against hand-verified reference countries.
Nearby countries
- Philippines
- Passive only Active euthanasia is illegal, while passive euthanasia is recognized but lacks specific legislation.
- Russia
- Illegal Euthanasia is explicitly banned by Federal Law No.323, although specific penalties for the act are not detailed.
- India
- Passive only Passive euthanasia is legal, but active euthanasia remains illegal in India.
- Australia
- Euthanasia legal Voluntary assisted dying is legal in all states and territories, though specific conditions vary by region.
- Finland
- Passive only Active euthanasia is illegal, but passive euthanasia is legal in Finland.
- Norway
- Illegal Active voluntary euthanasia is illegal, though caregivers may receive reduced punishment for consented killings.
Other laws in South Korea
- Abortion
- Legal on request
- Suicide Laws
- Not a crime
- Surrogacy
- Unregulated
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.