50s Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting Rescuer... Also Has Arson Attempt Record

Failed Attempt to Set Fire in Goshiwon While Drunk... Kicked Attending Doctor
Court: Sentenced to 2 Years for Committing Crime During Recidivism Period

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] Efforts to improve the treatment of paramedics continue, but difficulties related to transporting intoxicated individuals remain a problem. Amid this, a man in his 50s who assaulted the paramedics and medical staff who rescued and transported him to the hospital was sentenced to prison.

On the 28th, the Ulsan District Court Criminal Division 11 (Chief Judge Park Hyun-bae) announced that Mr. A, who was tried on charges of violating the 119 Rescue and Emergency Act and attempted arson of an inhabited building, was sentenced to two years in prison.

Mr. A was indicted for hitting the face of a firefighter who rescued him after he was found collapsed on a road in Ulsan early in the morning last June and transported him to the hospital. When he needed to be transferred from the initially arrived hospital to another hospital, Mr. A verbally abused and assaulted the firefighter.

Mr. A is also accused of attempting arson in March by setting fire to his coat while intoxicated at a goshiwon in Nam-gu, Ulsan, his residence, but the fire went out, resulting in an attempted arson charge. Additionally, in May, he kicked the attending doctor who warned him that "if you go out without permission and drink, you may be forcibly discharged." Furthermore, it was reported that he threw a glass in a restaurant while intoxicated and damaged a parked vehicle by hitting it with a no-parking sign.

The court stated the sentencing rationale, saying, "The defendant assaulted not only the police officers who responded to the report but also the doctors and paramedics, and attempted arson at the goshiwon where he lived, showing a poor nature of the crime," and added, "Since the crime was committed during the probation period, a prison sentence was imposed."

Meanwhile, the fire department is taking joint response measures with the police by confirming the intoxication status of emergency patients from the reporting and reception stages to prevent and respond to assaults on paramedics. They also dispatch support vehicles simultaneously when threat factors are recognized. In addition, they are steadily preparing measures related to assault damage on paramedics by expanding the distribution of safety helmets and wearable cameras for paramedics.