On the 10th, a “Life Film Screening Event” hosted by SLS Healing Hands and sponsored by St. Luke Hospital and Evangelical Medical Association of Korea (EMAK) was held at the Seoul City Hall Seosomun Annex, and drew great success.
The screening was attended by 66 people in total – medical professionals, aspiring healthcare workers, and regular citizens interested in bio-ethical topics.
The film shown was Plan 75, which addresses issues of an aging society and euthanasia. The film opens with the line, “Too many old people are pressing the national finances, and the burden falls on the young. The elderly may no longer want to be a nuisance to society.” The director reportedly intended that the opening scene would represent the film’s entire reality.
Following the screening, a lively discussion took place. One participant said, “In the scene from the film I felt discrimination against the elderly, and I reflected on whether I myself had entertained such thoughts.” Another participant said, “The protagonist’s final farewell to the call-center worker, after choosing euthanasia in economic hardship, was so calm that I was moved to tears.” Participants raised the fundamental question: “Who, and on what basis, can grant the authority to end a person’s life?” They engaged in a deep debate on bio-ethics, including the psychological health of medical personnel involved in euthanasia processes.
Dr. Sujung Kim (MD, MSc in Bioethics) who led the discussion, said: “In life we do not only pass through healthy, active phases. Children, patients, the elderly-anyone can go through vulnerable times. It is my hope that our society becomes one that protects and cares for each other’s lives during those times.” She added, “I was surprised to find so many ordinary people interested in bio-ethics. I wish to spread broadly the will to save and care for life, which is God’s will.”