"Remembering Courage and Sacrifice" Mourning Chinese Doctor Li Wenliang... Waves of Tribute in Domestic Medical Community

"Reported Virus Spread First... Even Wrote a Self-Statement"
Wuhan City Expresses Condolences on Li Wenliang's Death

Poster mourning Chinese doctor Li Wenliang.
Photo by Korea Medical Association blog screenshot

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Amid the heartbreaking news of the death of Chinese doctor Li Wenliang (李文亮), who first alerted the world to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), a wave of mourning for Li Wenliang's death is continuing within the domestic medical community.

On the 10th, the Korean Medical Association posted a message of condolence along with a photo on its official blog and other platforms.

The Medical Association conveyed its condolences with a poster titled "He Spoke for All the People in the World (他爲蒼生說過話)".

In particular, the poster stated, "Li Wenliang, who was summoned by the Public Security Bureau and forced to write a self-criticism statement for initially alerting the spread of the novel coronavirus, passed away on February 7 due to pneumonia contracted during treatment," and added, "We will never forget his courage and sacrifice for all the people in the world."

Earlier, on December 30 last year, Li Wenliang obtained a patient report showing symptoms similar to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) coronavirus and shared it in a group chat with fellow doctors.

At that time, Li Wenliang wrote, "Seven SARS patients have appeared in Wuhan." Subsequently, a screenshot of the chat room spread on Chinese social networking services (SNS), drawing significant attention.

Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, who first alerted the world to the novel coronavirus infection / Photo by Yonhap News

However, on the 3rd of last month, Li Wenliang reportedly received a warning from Chinese authorities stating, "You are spreading false information and causing public unrest," and was pressured with the threat of arrest if he continued to disseminate related facts.

Additionally, it is reported that Li Wenliang and seven other doctors were summoned by the Public Security Bureau and forced to write self-criticism statements admitting their mistakes.

Afterwards, while caring for patients at the hospital, he contracted the novel coronavirus and was hospitalized for treatment, passing away on the 7th at the age of 34.

Meanwhile, the Wuhan city government expressed "deep condolences and sorrow over the death of Dr. Li Wenliang," stating, "We pay tribute to him who fought the epidemic on the front lines and extend our condolences to his family."

The Chinese Medical Association also expressed condolences over Dr. Li Wenliang's death and urged, "Governments at all levels and medical institutions should pay more attention to the protection and health of medical personnel."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.