Coach Shin Tae-yong Spends 130 Million Won from Own Pocket to Return Home "Recovered from COVID-19 but Chronic Illness Worsened"

Air Ambulance Charter Cost 130 Million Won Paid Out of Pocket

Coach Shin Tae-yong on the air ambulance. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Nahana] Shin Tae-yong, head coach of the Indonesian national football team, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 and recovered after treatment but experienced worsening of other underlying conditions, flew to Korea by air ambulance from Jakarta on the morning of the 27th (local time).

The air ambulance carrying Coach Shin (Learjet 60 model) took off from Jakarta at around 8:20 a.m. (local time) and is scheduled to arrive at Incheon Airport in the afternoon.

Earlier, since early this month, after the coaching staff tested positive for COVID-19, Shin suspected he was infected due to symptoms such as fever and sore throat, but repeated negative test results prevented him from receiving any special treatment.

It was only in the early hours of the 20th that he tested positive for COVID-19 on his fourth PCR test and was admitted to a general hospital in Jakarta.

During hospitalization, detailed examinations revealed that, apart from COVID-19, other underlying conditions had worsened, including fluid accumulation in his lungs.

Judging that it would be difficult to receive treatment for his underlying conditions locally, and at the request of his family, he decided to receive treatment at a large hospital in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Although he tested negative for COVID-19 on the 26th, he deemed it inappropriate to fly on a commercial flight and chartered an air ambulance at his own expense, costing about 130 million KRW.

The cost of treatment Shin received at the Jakarta hospital was reportedly covered by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI).

The air ambulance used by Coach Shin was introduced by the Korean Embassy, and the embassy and the Korean Cultural Center spared no effort in supporting him by coordinating with the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Indonesian Football Association.

Coach Shin stated, "Originally, in consultation with the Football Association, it was planned that from the 29th of this month to the 30th of next month, the Korean coaching staff and I would spend a month on vacation together in Korea," and emphasized, "I will recover my health in Korea and then return to Jakarta."

The Indonesian Football Association announced in a press release, "Coach Shin has recovered from COVID-19 but agreed to temporarily return home as he wishes to meet his family."

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