[2021 National Audit] Government's First Apology for the Death of Late Jeong Yu-yeop Due to Medical Gap in Early COVID-19... "We Express Our Regret and Condolences"

Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol (second from the right) is responding to questions from lawmakers during the National Assembly inspection of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 20th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The government officially apologized for the first time regarding the case of the late Jeong Yu-yeop, who died of acute pneumonia due to delayed treatment caused by frontline medical gaps during the early outbreak of COVID-19 in March last year.

On the morning of the 20th, at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee’s audit, Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol responded to a question from Shin Hyun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, about Jeong’s case by saying, "I apologize and offer my condolences to the parents for Jeong Yu-yeop’s death under these circumstances." Director Jeong Eun-kyeong of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency also expressed, "I pray for the deceased’s soul" and "I offer my condolences to the father and family."

According to Representative Shin, Jeong went out in March last year to purchase public masks but developed cold symptoms. On the 12th, he visited Gyeongsan Central Hospital, where he was prescribed antibiotics and antipyretics and sent home. On the 13th, during a revisit, he was diagnosed with pneumonia but again sent home. However, on the same day, due to persistent high fever, he was transferred to Yeungnam University Hospital and admitted to a negative pressure isolation room in the emergency department. On the 14th, his COVID-19 test came back negative, but his condition worsened, requiring mechanical ventilation and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) treatment. Ultimately, he passed away on the 18th.

During this period, Jeong underwent a total of 14 COVID-19 diagnostic tests, with only one partial specimen testing positive; the other 13 tests were all negative. Postmortem cross-examinations conducted at multiple university hospitals also returned negative results, and the quarantine authorities ultimately judged Jeong’s case as negative. The single positive result raised concerns about possible laboratory contamination.

Shin Hyun-young, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding Jeong’s case, Representative Shin pointed out several issues: the government’s early COVID-19 guideline to "rest at home for 3-4 days if sick," insufficient appropriate measures at Gyeongsan Central Hospital, which was a designated safe hospital, refusal to dispatch an ambulance during transfer, weekend emergency room treatment vulnerabilities and exclusion from intensive care due to negative COVID-19 confirmation, lack of consideration from medical staff toward the bereaved family, and absence of government explanation regarding the death. She questioned whether the current medical system is adequate amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Kwon responded, "At that time, the first wave of COVID-19 was occurring in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, and it seems this incident happened amid unprepared circumstances. We will prepare and implement various measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur, strengthening the public healthcare system, emergency medical system, and enabling medical staff to provide appropriate care to patients other than COVID-19."

Director Jeong also stated, "During the initial COVID-19 response, there were several issues such as hospital infections and emergency room closures, which I believe significantly affected the treatment of patients other than COVID-19 due to these concerns. We will continue to consult with the medical community and the Ministry of Health and Welfare to improve the system so that patients other than COVID-19 do not suffer."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jeong’s father, Jeong Seong-jae, who appeared as a witness at the audit and said, "Today, I heard an official expression of regret for the first time," shared his feelings: "It has been so difficult just to hear these words. It was very painful and agonizing. I sincerely hope that such a situation, which anyone could experience, never happens again."

However, Mr. Jeong also emphasized that his son’s case is not yet over. He said, "Recently, the Prime Minister’s Office responded to my request for a meeting with the Prime Minister, which I had been demanding for over a year, by advising to handle it as a medical lawsuit dispute. There was no apology or mention regarding the sacrifices caused by the state’s inadequate response and system before discussing responsibility with the hospital." He continued, "Neither the government nor the hospital has taken responsibility or apologized. If no one is responsible, why did Yu-yeop have to die?" he appealed.

Finally, Mr. Jeong stated, "Based on government data and investigations by private organizations, there must be amendments to related laws to prevent the recurrence of medical gaps during infectious disease and disaster crises and to strengthen public healthcare. I hope that nationwide treatment centers will be established and healing programs activated so that all citizens who have experienced pain through COVID-19 can receive treatment and have opportunities provided."