Police Halt Investigation into Patient’s Death at Yang Jae-woong’s Hospital
Feb 25, 2025
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A media outlet reported on the 25th that the police suspended the investigation of A's case at the end of October last year on the grounds that the results of appraisal advice requested to the Korean Medical Association had not come.
According to Article 98 of the Police Investigation Rules, the investigation can be stopped if an expert's appraisal is needed to close the investigation of a case such as a medical accident, traffic accident, patent infringement, etc., but it takes a considerable amount of time.
The police said they only suspended the investigation due to the procedure, and they plan to finalize the case as soon as they receive a reply from the Korean Medical Association and decide whether to send it or not.
However, some expressed doubts about the suspension of the investigation, saying that they did not seek advice even though there were various specialized institutions such as the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation Agency, and asked the Korean Medical Association, which only represents the rights and interests of doctors, and did not reply.
In response, the Korea Federation of Mental Disabilities plans to hold a protest press conference with the bereaved families of A to condemn the suspension of the investigation.
Yang Jae-woong was at the center of controversy in May last year by hiding the death of a female patient in her 30s to treat diet drug addiction at her hospital and announcing the news of her marriage to Hani from EXID.
The released CCTV data showed hospital staff members binding and taking no action after administering drugs to A, who complained of abdominal pain. Eventually, A died, and an autopsy by the National Forensic Service revealed that the cause of death was acute pseudo intestinal obstruction. Accordingly, the bereaved family filed a complaint against six medical staff, including Yang Jae-woong, on charges of abandonment and professional negligence.
When this was known, Yang Jae-woong belatedly issued an apology through his agency. However, even during the parliamentary audit, the hospital repeated its position that there was no negligence, and the bereaved families complained that they had never received an apology, adding to the controversy. Eventually, as public opinion worsened, Yang Jae-woong postponed his marriage to Hani indefinitely, which was scheduled for September last year.
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