Only "Attracting Foreign Patients Without Registration" Found Guilty...
Fine of 3 Million Won Imposed
The surgeon involved in the case where a Hong Kong woman died during liposuction surgery at a hospital in Gangnam, Seoul, was acquitted of charges of professional negligence causing death in the first trial. Only the charge of attracting foreign patients without registration was upheld, resulting in a fine.
On the 17th, Judge Kang Kyung-mook of the Criminal Division 8 at the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Dr. Kim, who was tried for professional negligence causing death and violation of the Medical Service Act, to a fine of 3 million won. The counseling office manager, Ms. A, who was also indicted, was sentenced to a fine of 3 million won.
The court found only part of the charges related to attracting foreign patients without registering with the competent authority to be guilty. Regarding the charge of professional negligence causing death, the court acknowledged that Dr. Kim violated the duty of observation during the anesthesia and surgery process but acquitted him on the grounds that a causal relationship with the death could not be established.
The deceased patient was Bonnie Evita Rossi, the third-generation heir of a Hong Kong clothing conglomerate. In January 2020, while undergoing liposuction surgery at the clinic operated by Dr. Kim, her oxygen saturation level dropped sharply, and she was transported to the hospital with bleeding from her nose and mouth but died on the same day.
The police investigation confirmed issues with the consent process for the surgery and problems with anesthesia during the procedure, leading to Dr. Kim being referred to the prosecution. The prosecution judged that Ms. A’s professional negligence led to the victim’s death and brought charges including professional negligence causing death to trial.
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