[Comprehensive] "Stop it, you XX" Lee Guk-jong, Yoo Hee-seok clash over doctor helicopter noise and conflicts explode

"Not Even Human XX"... "No, That's Not True"
Conflicts Over Dr. Helicopter Noise and Regional Trauma Center Operations
Disputes Over Staffing Increases
Lee Guk-jong Contemplates 'Leaving Korea'... Participating in Naval Training

Professor Lee Guk-jong, Director of the Gyeonggi Southern Region Trauma Center at Ajou University Hospital [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Professor Lee Guk-jong, director of the Gyeonggi Southern Region Trauma Center at Ajou University Hospital, reportedly participated in a Pacific naval training due to a conflict with Yoo Hee-seok, director of Ajou Medical Center. In particular, a recording revealing Yoo Hee-seok’s use of harsh verbal abuse and profanity toward Professor Lee has been made public, and repercussions are expected. It is known that the conflict between Professor Lee and Director Yoo stems from issues related to the trauma center, doctor helicopters, and other matters concerning patients' lives.

On the 13th, MBC Newsdesk released a recording in which Director Yoo is heard verbally abusing Director Lee. According to the recording, Director Yoo said to Director Lee, "Quit it. You XX. Get lost. You XX who aren't even human." Professor Lee responded, "No, that’s not true."

◆ Why the Conflict Between Lee Guk-jong and Ajou University Hospital... Also the Reason Behind the Full-Scale Operation of Doctor Helicopters

According to MBC, the conflict between Director Yoo and Professor Lee arose over the operation of the regional trauma center.

MBC reported that at the doctor helicopter inauguration ceremony, Ajou Medical Center was absent as the event organizer, which led Director Yoo to express displeasure, saying, "We’ll just support the event, but including myself, we shouldn’t attend. It’s not our event." He also allegedly raised complaints about noise from local residents and blocked the reinforcement of trauma center personnel.

On the afternoon of September 6 last year, at the 'Seventh Doctor Helicopter Launch Ceremony' held at Ajou University Hospital Gyeonggi Southern Trauma Center in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Center Director Lee Guk-jong is wearing a headset and talking with officials.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Another conflict arose over noise from the doctor helicopter. MBC reported that as the operation of the doctor helicopter became full-scale, the conflict with the hospital leadership deepened.

Han Sang-wook, director of Ajou University Hospital, said regarding noise complaints, "We are currently receiving a flood of complaints. I am also being contacted directly. Nowadays, when complaints come in, we must respond. So we are considering how to prepare our responses."

Meanwhile, there are also reported conflicts over personnel reinforcement. Although government funding was secured with difficulty to increase trauma center staff such as dedicated helicopter nurses, MBC reported that the hospital reduced the number of new hires from 67 to 36.

Lee Guk-jong, Director of the Regional Trauma Center at Ajou University Hospital, is responding to questions from lawmakers at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee's audit on October 24 last year. / Photo by Yonhap News

◆ The Logic of Accepting More 'Profitable Patients' Also a Cause of Conflict

In fact, on October 18 last year during a national audit, Professor Lee revealed that taxes and national subsidies for the Gyeonggi Southern Region Severe Trauma Center were being used for unrelated matters.

At the time, Professor Lee pointed out at the Administrative Safety Committee national audit held in Gyeonggi Province, "In 2018, 2.2 billion won was provided to hire 67 nursing staff, but only about 30 were hired, and the remaining financial support was used to pay wages for existing nursing staff."

Regarding the nation’s first 24-hour emergency medical exclusive 'doctor helicopter,' Professor Lee claimed that internal hospital discussions were underway to 'return the project' under the pretext of noise complaints.

Professor Lee also repeatedly asserted that the reason the Gyeonggi Southern Region Trauma Center was unable to operate for about a month was because hospital management logic demanded accepting more 'profitable patients,' i.e., severe patients, which contrasted with the trauma center’s mission.

It is known that Professor Lee even considered leaving Korea. He said in the report, "Because of this issue, I considered quitting the hospital and leaving Korea."

Currently, Professor Lee is participating in a Pacific crossing naval training with cadets from the Naval Academy since January 15, citing complex conflicts including personnel reinforcement, the doctor helicopter project, and bed issues. The training is scheduled to continue until the end of January.