'Patient Death Controversy' Yang Jae-woong Indefinitely Postpones Wedding with Hani

"Indefinite Postponement... Date Undecided"
Death Incident Occurs at Hospital Operated by Yang Jae-woong
Seemingly Due to Public Criticism and Police Investigation Concerns

Psychiatrist Yang Jae-woong and actress Hani (Ahn Hee-yeon), formerly of the group EXID, have indefinitely postponed their wedding.

Psychiatrist Jae-woong Yang (left), his partner Hani

According to Yang Jae-woong's agency Mystic Story, the couple has decided to delay their wedding, which was scheduled for September. The new date has not yet been determined, and it is reported that there has been no change in their relationship. Netizens have speculated that the reason for the postponement might be due to public criticism related to an incident at Yang Jae-woong’s hospital and the subsequent police investigation.

Previously, Yang Jae-woong was embroiled in controversy over the death of a patient at a psychiatric hospital he operates in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. On May 27, a woman in her 30s, identified as Ms. A, who had been hospitalized for 17 days, died from pseudo-intestinal obstruction. Ms. A had been admitted for treatment of addiction to diet pills containing narcotic substances but experienced difficulty with bowel movements and intermittent abdominal pain. The day before her death, she complained of severe abdominal pain and knocked on the door while clutching her stomach in the isolation room (restraint room). It was revealed that a nursing assistant and a caregiver administered sedatives and forcibly restrained her hands, feet, and chest to the bed. Ms. A’s bereaved family expressed their grievances and filed a police complaint against six medical staff members on charges of neglect resulting in death and professional negligence causing death.

In response, Yang Jae-woong’s side stated, “Both he and the former medical staff involved in the incident during the hospitalization process are deeply saddened and cannot hide their grief. We sincerely apologize to the deceased and the bereaved family who are mourning their loss.” They added, “Our hospital is fully cooperating with external agencies in the ongoing investigation by providing all relevant materials, including medical charts and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage capturing the situation at the time.” However, the bereaved family countered, “Although they have our contact information, they have only communicated through lawyers and did not apologize directly. They only started media play after the incident was reported. When we protested in front of the hospital, they did not even glance at us. This is not a sincere apology, so we cannot accept it.” The National Human Rights Commission has received a complaint regarding the incident and plans to conduct an on-site investigation.