"Devoted Top Thoracic Surgery Expert"…KMA Mourns Late Professor Ju Seokjung

The medical community continues to mourn the late Professor Ju Seok-jung (61) of Seoul Asan Medical Center, who passed away in an unexpected traffic accident.

The late Professor Ju Seok-jung, Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, Seoul.

On the 19th, the Korean Medical Association (KMA) stated, "We sincerely pray for the repose of the deceased and extend our deepest condolences and comfort to the bereaved family." KMA President Lee Pil-soo visited the funeral hall at Seoul Asan Medical Center, where Professor Ju's wake was held, to pay tribute and offer condolences to the family.

The KMA mourned, "The late professor lived just 10 minutes from the hospital and tirelessly took charge of emergency surgeries day and night. For over 30 years, he practiced medicine on the front lines, immediately heading to the operating room whenever an emergency patient arrived, prioritizing his medical duties over personal time 24 hours a day to save patients' lives."

The association also expressed, "We are deeply saddened and cannot erase the sorrow of losing a leading scholar and top clinical expert who demonstrated exceptional capabilities in the field of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Cardiovascular and thoracic surgery is one of the most demanding specialties within thoracic surgery, frequently involving emergency operations and exposing practitioners to increasing legal risks without adequate protection. Consequently, the number of applicants for this specialty has sharply declined. Losing a talent like Professor Ju in this context is an enormous loss not only to the medical community but also to the nation."

The KMA emphasized, "With essential medical fields becoming less favored specialties, the medical community's concern is very heavy. There is an urgent need for our society's special attention to the working conditions and stability of personnel in essential medical fields, as well as clear protective measures from the government." They added, "Instead of indiscriminately increasing medical school quotas, concrete measures must be proposed to attract and retain personnel in essential medical fields."

Finally, the KMA stated, "Together with many healthcare professionals who are dedicating themselves to saving the health and lives of patients in emergency situations even at this moment, the Korean Medical Association deeply cherishes Professor Ju's brilliant achievements and meaningful dedication and sincerely prays for the repose of his soul."