CEO Lee Attacked with a Weapon on the Morning of the 2nd in Busan
Transported by Helicopter to Seoul National University Hospital Instead of Busan National University Hospital
"Fundamental Privilege... Ignoring Regional Medical Care"
On the morning of the 2nd, while attending a local schedule in Busan, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was attacked with a weapon by a man in his 60s. He was transported to Seoul National University Hospital by an emergency helicopter, which sparked criticism from the medical community regarding preferential treatment. Yeo Han-sol, head of the Emergency Medicine Department at Sokcho Medical Center and former president of the Korean Intern Resident Association, wrote on his social media (SNS) that “the attack on Representative Lee Jae-myung is regrettable. Violence can never be justified under any circumstances,” but also added, “there are questions. This is fundamentally an issue of preferential treatment.”
"Emergency helicopter due to patient’s preference? Is this possible for ordinary citizens?" Criticism
During his visit to Busan, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was attacked with a weapon, is being transported to Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 2nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Dr. Yeo stated, “Although treatment was possible at Busan National University Hospital, it is said that the patient was transferred to Seoul National University Hospital due to the patient’s preference,” and criticized, “In this process, an emergency helicopter was used. If an ordinary person says ‘Let’s go to Seoul National University Hospital,’ would 119 (emergency services) put them on a helicopter like this?”
He added, “Is there no problem with using a 119 helicopter because the patient requested transfer despite the existing hospital being able to accommodate them? Will ordinary citizens be able to use 119 helicopters like this in the future?” He further challenged, “If a patient with a myocardial infarction who could have died without immediate intervention requested 119 helicopter transport, try asking 119, which said ‘transport is not possible without medical staff on board,’ what their response would be.”
Regarding Representative Lee’s condition, he said, “Since CT scans have not been confirmed, it is impossible to assess the severity of the injury,” but added, “If it was an emergency, surgery should have been performed at Busan National University Hospital, and if it was not urgent, there was no reason to take a helicopter.”
Dr. Yeo strongly criticized, “Those who say ‘Let’s go to Seoul National University Hospital’ when they are injured themselves say ‘We need to revitalize regional healthcare.’ They ignore regional university hospitals and are transported by 119 helicopter to the country’s top university hospital, but none of the transport conditions are met. What is the difference from saying ‘Ordinary citizens without money or those stuck in the provinces should just receive treatment there’?”
“They said they would revitalize regional healthcare…” Growing frustration
Earlier, other medical professionals also raised questions about Representative Lee being transported by helicopter to Seoul National University Hospital instead of receiving immediate treatment at Busan National University Hospital. On the same day, Yang Seong-gwan, head of the Family Medicine Department at Uijeongbu Paik Hospital, pointed out, “It does not make sense to go to Seoul National University Hospital, which does not even have a regional trauma center, instead of Busan National University Hospital, the country’s top regional trauma center.”
Dr. Yang criticized, “Even politicians who claim to want to revitalize regional healthcare left behind Busan National University Hospital, the best regional trauma center, and went to Seoul National University Hospital, which lacks a regional trauma center, by helicopter. If they took a helicopter to Seoul National University Hospital, it is highly likely that the condition was not severe. It does not make sense to take a helicopter if it is not a severe case.”
In fact, Busan National University Hospital’s regional trauma center has been rated the highest grade, A, for four consecutive years in the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s ‘Regional Trauma Center Evaluation,’ and is recognized as top-level in trauma treatment.
Representative Lee Undergoing Recovery Treatment After Two-Hour Surgery
On the 2nd, the suspect who attacked Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, with a weapon at the site of the new Busan Gadukdo Airport was arrested by the police on the spot. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the morning of the same day, around 10:27 a.m., while attending a visit to the site of Gadeok New Airport in Gangseo-gu, Busan, Representative Lee was attacked on the left side of his neck with a weapon by a man in his 60s. He was transported by ambulance and helicopter to the regional trauma center at Busan National University Hospital at 11:13 a.m. However, it was later decided that his surgery would be performed at Seoul National University Hospital.
Representative Lee sustained a roughly 1.5 cm laceration on his neck, and it was reported that his life was not in danger. Damage to the internal jugular vein was confirmed, and from around 3:45 p.m. that day, he underwent vascular reconstruction surgery including thrombectomy for two hours. He is currently recovering in the intensive care unit.
The man who attacked Representative Lee was identified as a 67-year-old licensed real estate agent operating a brokerage office in Asan, Chungnam Province. During police investigation, the man stated that he had an intent to kill Representative Lee, but the specific motive has not been confirmed. The Democratic Party plans to hold an emergency party meeting at 10 a.m. on the 3rd to prepare measures for responding to the political situation.
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