Human Rights Commission, On-Site Investigation of Yang Jae-woong Hospital Following Patient Death

Death of May Inpatient at Yang Jae-woong's Hospital
Hankyoreh Files Complaint with Human Rights Commission, Investigation This Month Reported
Bereaved Family "Condition Not Checked During Coercive Process"
Mr. Yang "Sincerely Apologizes"... Human Rights Commission Investigation

Recently, a patient hospitalized at a psychiatric hospital in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, operated by the well-known psychiatrist Yang Jae-woong, died, and the National Human Rights Commission of Korea plans to conduct an on-site investigation later this month. On the 8th, Hankyoreh reported, "A human rights violation complaint regarding the hospital has been filed with the Human Rights Commission, which has secured various medical records of the victim and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, and is preparing for an on-site investigation in August." The Commission will interview the respondent, Yang, as well as witnesses during the on-site investigation, review whether the medical records correspond to the facts, and then decide whether to proceed with a formal investigation.

Psychiatrist Yang Jae-woong. [Image provided by Mystic Story]

Earlier, a man in his 30s, identified as A, who was hospitalized at the hospital, died 17 days after being admitted on May 27. It was reported that A was isolated alone in a stabilization room within the hospital around 7 p.m. the day before his death. When A resisted, the medical staff implemented coercive measures by tying his hands, feet, and chest to the bed for about two hours in the early morning hours of the following day. A was found in cardiac arrest around 3:40 a.m.

In response, A’s family filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on June 30, requesting the truth about the death incident, and subsequently submitted a criminal complaint to the Bucheon Wonmi Police Station against Yang and six medical staff members. The family claims that the hospital did not properly monitor A’s condition during the isolation and coercion process.

At a psychiatric hospital in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, operated by Yang Jae-woong, hospital staff were seen applying restraint measures to a patient complaining of abdominal pain on the morning of May 27.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As the controversy grew, Yang issued a statement through his agency on the 30th of last month, saying, “Both I and the former medical staff cannot hide our deep sorrow regarding the incident that occurred during the hospitalization process, and we sincerely apologize to the deceased and the bereaved family who are grieving.” He also stated, “I will take responsibility according to medical and legal judgments.”

However, the family expressed outrage, saying Yang’s apology lacked sincerity. They argued, “Yang did not apologize to the family for about two months after the incident and only apologized belatedly after media reports surfaced. Is he playing the media as a celebrity rather than as the hospital director?” The family plans to hold a rally on the 9th with the Korea Federation for Mental Health and other organizations to demand a thorough investigation into A’s death.