Police Book Woman in Her 20s Over '36-Week Fetus Abortion Video'... Charged with Murder

"Low Fetal Survival Probability"

The police have booked a woman in her 20s who posted a video of a '36-week pregnancy termination (abortion)' on YouTube, along with the hospital director, and are investigating them on murder charges.

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official stated at a regular press briefing on the 12th that they conducted a search and seizure on the woman in her 20s who posted the 36-week abortion video and the hospital director, and booked them on murder charges.

The official said, "We conducted a detailed analysis of the YouTube and Shorts videos ourselves and identified the poster and the hospital director with the cooperation of related agencies," adding, "We carried out search and seizure operations on them between the end of last month and early this month and booked them as suspects." He further added, "Based on the analysis of the seized materials, it is judged that there are no manipulated parts in the YouTube video."

Earlier, the National Police Agency's Criminal Investigation Headquarters requested user information from Google's headquarters regarding the 36-week abortion video but was refused on the grounds that it violated laws and policies.

Regarding the possibility that the fetus was alive, the official drew a line, saying, "As a result of the search and seizure of the hospital where the surgery was performed, it has been confirmed that the fetus is currently not alive." The police received a request from the Ministry of Health and Welfare last month to investigate the video poster and the surgeon in charge on murder charges, identified the identity of the woman in her 20s who posted the video, and conducted a search and seizure of the hospital where the surgery was performed.

When asked whether it was an induced labor surgery, the official said, "This is an issue that requires not only the statements of the parties involved but also related evidence and opinions from expert groups," and summarized, "According to some witness statements received through the doctor, there is talk that stillbirth at 36 weeks could also pose a risk to the mother, but this is not certain, and an official opinion from an expert group must be obtained." According to the police, there are no CCTV cameras installed inside the hospital in question, so expert group testimonies are expected to play a decisive role in the future direction of the investigation. The police are also reviewing punishment regulations related to the hospital's failure to install CCTV.

The police said, "This investigation is a complicated one that must prove whether it was an abortion, murder, or stillbirth," adding, "We are conducting a detailed investigation by listening to expert group opinions and are considering applying charges of violating the Medical Service Act against the two hospital directors."

Meanwhile, it is known that an investigation is ongoing into Min Yoon-gi (stage name Suga), a member of the boy band BTS, who was booked on the 7th for driving an electric scooter while intoxicated in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Min was found collapsed on the street on the 6th while driving an electric scooter with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.227%, which is at the level of license cancellation, and was booked by the police.

Currently, the investigation is focusing on determining the exact time from which Min was driving the electric scooter while intoxicated.

The police said, "We have traced back the route from the accident site where Min was found and confirmed the final travel distance and route," adding, "Since the investigation is still ongoing, we are cautious about confirming details." They also added, "We have not received any requests for a non-public appearance."