Claiming "Errors in the Human Rights Commission's Investigation Findings"
Psychiatrist and broadcaster Yang Jae-woong (43) announced that he plans to proceed with an appeal against the National Human Rights Commission's referral of the investigation to the prosecution regarding the incident in which a patient died at the hospital he operates.
On the 20th, LKB & Partners, the law firm representing Yang, issued a statement asserting, "The police investigation is currently ongoing regarding the appropriateness of the isolation and restraint measures taken against the patient and the legality of the procedures. It is difficult to conclude solely based on the Human Rights Commission's investigation and decision, which lacks compulsory investigative authority, that these measures were inappropriate or procedurally problematic." They also stated that there are "errors" in the Human Rights Commission's investigation findings.
Psychiatrist and broadcaster Yang Jae-woong appeared as a witness at the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare held by the Health and Welfare Committee at the National Assembly on October 23 last year, answering questions before returning to the witness stand. Photo by Yonhap News
Earlier, at a hospital in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, where Yang serves as director, a woman in her 30s, identified as Ms. A, died on May 27 last year, 17 days after being admitted under protective hospitalization. Subsequently, her family filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, alleging that Ms. A was subjected to unjust isolation and restraint during her hospitalization.
After investigation, the Human Rights Commission determined that there were acts of falsification or aiding in falsification of medical records at the hospital and referred five individuals?including Yang, the attending physician, the on-duty doctor, a nurse, and a nursing assistant?to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office for investigation. LKB explained the suspicion of falsified medical records by stating, "Due to the nature of psychiatric hospitals, the attending physician is most familiar with the patient's condition, so even after working hours, decisions regarding the patient's care are made by the attending physician. However, since there is a designated on-duty doctor after hours, the medical records indicate that the on-duty doctor performed the relevant duties."
They also refuted media reports claiming that isolation and restraint were carried out without a doctor's orders. LKB stated, "The part referred for investigation by the Human Rights Commission concerns the falsification of medical records. Among these, the parts related to isolation and restraint include instances where the on-duty doctor did not order restraint at five points but it was recorded and implemented, and where restraint was recorded as being lifted according to the on-duty doctor's instructions despite no orders or reports to lift isolation and restraint." They added, "Isolation was immediately reported and approved, and restraint was carried out according to the attending physician's instructions."
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