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Im Hyun-taek, president of the Korea Medical Association (KMA), drew attention by posting the case of former People Power Party emergency response committee chairman Kim Jong-in's 'emergency room roundabout' on his Facebook.
On the afternoon of the 22nd, President Im shared a news story on Facebook about Kim's wandering around emergency rooms after a fall accident and pinned it at the top. The news image contained the phrase, "What's on your forehead? In response to the anchor's question, Kim Jong-in seemed to be addressing the administration..."
Aside from the news screen image and link, he did not leave any additional comments, but it is interpreted that he posted the article to highlight the seriousness of the medical vacuum caused by recent disruptions in emergency room operations.
Appearing on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" that day with a large bandage on his right forehead, former chairman Kim said, "I fell badly early in the morning and injured my forehead," adding, "119 came and tried to take a bloodied person to the emergency room, but even after calling 22 places, none accepted me."
He continued, "I barely managed to go to a hospital I used to visit frequently, revealed my identity, and went to the emergency room, but there was no doctor," and said, "Honestly, those who haven't experienced this don't know." He revealed that he eventually had about an 8 cm stitch on his forehead in the emergency room.
Sharing his experience, he said, "There is concern that the medical system in our country could suffer considerable damage due to the medical crisis caused by the issue of increasing medical school admissions," adding, "If this system collapses, I believe it will be difficult for the administration itself to be maintained."
He further stated, "I question whether the president has sufficient knowledge about healthcare," and claimed, "Because he tries to push forward with confidence on things he doesn't know, various side effects are occurring." He also criticized the ruling party, saying, "The People Power Party should respond sensitively to such important issues and bring about changes in government policies, but they are not properly fulfilling that role."
Former emergency response committee chairman Kim has served as chairman across both ruling and opposition parties (People Power Party and Democratic Party of Korea) and was the overall campaign chairman for the People Power Party in the early stages of the 20th presidential election.
On the 23rd, officials from the Fire Department of the National Public Officials Union held a press conference in front of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, urging measures to address the ambulance rotation issue. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Meanwhile, the National Public Officials Labor Union Fire Headquarters on the 23rd urged the government to come up with measures regarding the 'emergency room roundabout.' The union demanded ▲ improvement of the emergency patient transport system ▲ granting practical hospital selection authority to paramedics ▲ inspection and reform of the overall emergency medical system ▲ improvement of treatment for paramedics.
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