Over 20 thousand, 7-hundred patients or their families have refused life-sustaining treatments since the 'death with dignity' bill came into effect in South Korea on February 4th.<br /> According to the Ministry of Health Tuesday, around 66-point-3 percent of such instances involve the decision being made by the patients' family.<br />Some 33 percent personally made the choice while only point-7 percent filled in an advance application ahead of falling terminally ill.<br />Some religious groups opposed the bill, and there have been concerns over the potential for abuse if doctors allow patients and their family members to choose death over treatment.<br />But the law has drawn support from senior citizens with a survey last year showing nine out of ten Koreans aged 65 would refuse treatment to extend their lives if they were suffering from an incurable disease. <br />
