"Please Install CCTV in Operating Rooms" 청와대 National Petition Reaches 200,000 Signatures

A petition on the Blue House website requesting the installation of closed-circuit (CC) TVs in operating rooms, filed by the father of a child who died while receiving treatment after a tonsillectomy at a university hospital, has received over 200,000 signatures. Photo by Blue House petition capture.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A petition to the Blue House requesting the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) in operating rooms, submitted by the father of a child who died while receiving treatment after a tonsillectomy at a university hospital, has received over 200,000 signatures.

As of 7:07 PM on the 18th, a total of 202,356 people had agreed to the petition, surpassing 200,000 with two days remaining before the deadline.

Since the petition met the Blue House's official response requirement of "over 200,000 signatures within one month," the government will provide an official response to the petition.

Earlier, on the 21st of last month, Kim Gang-ryul (38), the father of the child who died after a tonsillectomy at Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital, posted a petition titled "A father's last wish after losing his 6-year-old son due to a tonsillectomy medical accident. Please create laws to prevent medical accidents and enforce strong countermeasures to avoid more unjust deaths."

Mr. Kim Gang-ryul, the father of a child who died while receiving treatment after a tonsillectomy at Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital, is holding a solo protest in front of the hospital's main gate on the 13th. Photo by Kim Gang-ryul.

Mr. Kim demanded the mandatory installation of CCTV in operating rooms and amendments to the Medical Service Act to prohibit medical personnel involved in ongoing medical malpractice lawsuits from practicing medicine, through the national petition and solo protests.

According to Mr. Kim, his son, who was 5 years old at the time, underwent a tonsillectomy at Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital in October last year.

After his son was unable to eat properly for several days following the surgery, Mr. Kim took him to a local otolaryngology clinic.

At the clinic, the doctor opined that the surgery at Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital had been excessive, and Mr. Kim admitted his son to another general hospital.

On the second day of hospitalization, Mr. Kim's son vomited blood, lost consciousness, and went into cardiac arrest.

Immediately after the cardiac arrest, Mr. Kim headed to Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital, but the hospital refused to transfer the patient, causing a delay of about 30 minutes. The child was then transferred to another university hospital in Busan but ultimately did not regain consciousness, was declared brain dead, and passed away in March.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, which is investigating the case, stated, "We cannot disclose specific details as the investigation is ongoing," and Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital also refrained from commenting, citing the ongoing case.

The doctor who performed the surgery is reported to have resigned from the hospital.

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