"Found Rescued Upon Waking" Male Survivor of Passenger Plane Disaster Admitted to ICU

Joo-woong, Director of Edae Seoul Hospital, Briefing

Lee Mo (33), a male crew member who survived the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster at Jeonnam Muan International Airport, reportedly said about the incident, "When I woke up, I found myself rescued."

On the 29th, at Oh Hye-sook Hall, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital in Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Joo Woong, director of Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital (left), is briefing on the health status of the surviving crew members of the Muan Jeju Air disaster. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 29th at around 9 p.m., Joo Woong, the director of Ewha Seoul Hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, where Lee is hospitalized, held a briefing and explained Lee's condition, saying, "He has trauma, and we judged that asking detailed questions about the accident would not help his recovery."

When asked if Lee was showing symptoms of amnesia, Director Joo replied, "He is in a state where communication is fully possible," and added, "We have not asked questions about the accident, so it is not at a stage where we can say he has amnesia."

Lee was initially treated at Mokpo Korean Hospital in Jeonnam immediately after the accident and was transferred to Ewha Seoul Hospital at around 6:15 p.m. on the same day. Examination results diagnosed fractures in his thoracic vertebrae, scapula, and ribs, and he is currently admitted to the intensive care unit.

Director Joo stated that Lee is under intensive care due to the possibility of sequelae such as total paralysis, and that a collaborative treatment with the Department of Psychiatry is also planned for psychological therapy.