Assemblywoman Shin Hyun-young: "A Hell Where Medical Staff Cannot Enter Despite Urgent Situation"
"Due to Lack of Control Tower, Patient Transfer Priority Criteria and Principles Are Not Being Followed"
Group chat messages exchanged among rescue personnel at the scene during the Itaewon disaster, disclosed by Assemblywoman Shin Hyun-young. Photo by Assemblywoman Shin Hyun-young's office
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The conversation between rescue personnel at the scene during the Itaewon disaster was disclosed on the 8th. Shin Hyun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, revealed part of the KakaoTalk group chat from the so-called 'mobile situation room' during the Itaewon disaster at the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee comprehensive policy inquiry on the same day.
Based on the conversation, Representative Shin criticized the absence of a government control tower such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stating that the priority criteria and principles for patient transport were not followed. At the time of the disaster, Representative Shin, a doctor by profession, was urgently dispatched to the scene as part of the disaster medical support team.
According to the KakaoTalk chat data disclosed by Representative Shin, 144 minutes after the disaster occurred, at 1:39 a.m. on the 30th of last month, the Central Emergency Medical Situation Management Center of the Fire Agency asked, "Regarding the deceased at the scene, we decided to transport about 30 remaining bodies to Soonchunhyang Hospital. Is it possible to accommodate them?" In response, the Central Emergency Medical Situation Team said, "Don't do that. Do not transport the deceased now," and added, "First, transport about 40 living patients including emergency patients."
Five minutes later, at 1:45 a.m. on the 30th, the Seoul Emergency Situation Management Center requested, "Requesting selection of hospital for transporting deceased delayed patients." The Central Emergency Medical Situation Team replied, "We will not do that. Please send the living patients to the hospital first." Three minutes later, a photo of Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong wearing a yellow jumper was posted in the chat room along with the message, "The Minister of Health and Welfare has come out and is receiving a briefing on the current situation."
Representative Shin criticized Minister Cho, saying, "You should have used your authority to transport those who could be saved first, but you did not. You did not fulfill your authority and responsibility at the disaster site," and added, "You were present at the scene but were like a ghost who could not perform your role."
In response, Minister Cho explained, "According to the manual, the emergency rescue control team leader and fire station chief control the site, and the public health center director, who is the head of the on-site emergency medical center, commands the operation." Regarding patient transport, he said, "I think you are referring to the fact that 76 bodies were concentrated at Soonchunhyang University Hospital, but before the bodies arrived, at 11:36 p.m., the first four CPR patients were transported to the emergency room of Soonchunhyang University Hospital," adding, "Although bodies were transported to the nearest hospital due to the large number of people, causing a concentration, I do not believe this caused any problems in treating emergency patients."
Conversation content from KakaoTalk chat rooms between the Seoul Emergency Medical Situation Management Center and others during the Itaewon disaster. Photo by Shin Hyun-young's office
Representative Shin also disclosed conversation content from about one hour after the disaster occurred. At 11:10 p.m. on the 29th, the Seoul Emergency Situation Management Center reported, "Multiple casualties occurred at the rear side of the Hamilton Hotel," and the Central Emergency Medical Situation Management Center requested, "We need to secure space for the medical center," and "Please mobilize all available resources to the maximum." In response, staff from the Central Situation Team appealed at 11:41 p.m., "Police are controlling the support center personnel wearing medical vests, preventing entry to the scene," and "At this rate, the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) cannot be dispatched." They also posted, "Neither the rapid response team nor the support center could enter the scene."
Representative Shin pointed out, "Despite the urgent situation in the heart of Seoul where many casualties occurred and all medical support should have been deployed, even medical personnel could not enter, creating a hellish situation," and asked, "Was the government present there?"
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