[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The hospital director who caused dozens of patients to contract hepatitis C by reusing disposable syringes and injection fluids has had a prison sentence with probation confirmed by the Supreme Court.
A prison sentence means being confined in a correctional facility but, unlike imprisonment, does not involve forced labor.
On the 29th, the Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice Min Yusook) announced that it upheld the original sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison with 2 years probation for hospital director A, who was indicted on charges including professional negligence causing injury.
A, who operated a hospital in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, was tried on charges of infecting 77 patients with hepatitis C by reusing leftover injection fluids in syringes during the 'autologous blood therapy' procedure (a method of drawing the patient's blood, separating platelets using a centrifuge, and reinjecting the concentrated platelets) over approximately 12 years starting in 2001.
The first trial sentenced A to 2 years and 6 months imprisonment, stating, "This betrays the trust of patients who relied on the medical professional ethics and expertise of healthcare workers and neglects the duty of care in the course of work, resulting in serious consequences with many victims infected with hepatitis C."
However, the second trial reduced the sentence to 1 year and 6 months imprisonment with 2 years probation. The appellate court stated, "A reached settlements with 39 of the 77 victims, and they expressed that they did not wish for punishment," and "A made efforts to compensate the victims by depositing 2 to 3 million won each as medical expenses and consolation money."
The Supreme Court also agreed with this judgment. The court dismissed the appeal, stating, "The lower court did not err in its legal interpretation regarding substantial causation in professional negligence causing injury, nor did it omit necessary judgments."
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