'Outrage' Over Sexual Assault of Obstetric Anesthesia Patient... Will the Controversial 'Operating Room CCTV' Be Implemented?

Doctor Who Continuously Touched Patient's Body Sent to Trial
"What Trust Is There to Get on the Operating Table?" Citizens 'Angry'
Experts Say "At Least CCTV Is Needed for Safety"

As public outrage grows over a doctor sexually harassing a patient at a hospital in Seoul, the debate over installing closed-circuit (CC) TVs in operating rooms is intensifying.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Amid growing public outrage over a doctor sexually assaulting a patient under anesthesia at a hospital in Seoul, the debate over installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in operating rooms is intensifying. Positive opinions argue that CCTV can prove and prevent medical accidents and sexual violence, while opposing voices express concerns about a surge in medical disputes and privacy violations, creating a sharp divide.

Experts emphasize the necessity of installing CCTV in operating rooms for minimal safety and suggest establishing a CCTV management system to prevent personal information infringement.

According to reports on the 17th, the Songpa Police Station in Seoul sent Mr. A, an obstetrics and gynecology intern, to the prosecution in February on charges of sexual assault and quasi-rape. The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office indicted Mr. A on the 7th of last month.

Mr. A is suspected of repeatedly touching the perineal and other body parts of a patient under anesthesia awaiting surgery while working as an intern in the obstetrics and gynecology department of the hospital in April 2019. He is also reported to have made sexually harassing remarks such as "I want to touch (the woman's body) more, so I'll stay in the operating room," "Can I see the hymen?", "If a man is big, his genitals are big; is it the same for women?", and "Do you eat the uterus?"

Mr. A's sexual assault activities became known when the hospital's disciplinary committee records were disclosed in March last year. Initially, the hospital imposed a three-month suspension on Mr. A, but after the incident was reported and controversy spread, his training qualification was revoked. However, it is known that Mr. A's medical license is still maintained. Particularly, it was revealed that Mr. A trained not only in obstetrics and gynecology but also in pediatrics, which further heightened public distrust and anxiety toward medical professionals.

Voices of citizens demanding the installation of CCTV in operating rooms to prevent medical accidents are growing louder.
Photo by Yonhap News

As a result, voices demanding mandatory installation of CCTV in operating rooms are growing among citizens. It is pointed out that CCTV can serve as a minimum device to prove damage to life, body, or property caused by medical accidents.

Kim, a worker in his 20s, said, "If you have nothing to hide, there is no reason to oppose CCTV installation," adding, "Not only did a doctor commit shameless sexual assault against a patient, but the perpetrator's medical license was not even revoked. How can any citizen feel safe and visit a hospital with peace of mind? Patients have no way of knowing what happens on the operating table. At least a safety device is necessary when such problems occur."

On the other hand, the medical community opposes mandatory CCTV installation in operating rooms. They argue that CCTV would psychologically intimidate medical staff and harm the trust between patients and medical personnel by perceiving medical staff as 'potential criminals.'

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) issued a statement on the 17th, saying, "Constant surveillance of medical staff causes decreased concentration and excessive tension, which can lead to a decline in the quality of medical care," and added, "Given that the incidence of medical accidents in Korea is among the lowest worldwide, mandating CCTV installation in operating rooms based on incidents occurring in a very small number of medical institutions generalizes the issue and treats medical staff as potential criminals and operating rooms as potential crime scenes."

They further stated, "Requesting to view recorded footage with the intent to prove medical negligence whenever patients or guardians express dissatisfaction with normal treatment could escalate into frequent medical disputes, undermining trust between doctors and patients," and "This is more likely to cause unnecessary controversy or misunderstandings."

The KMA also cited violations of personal medical information confidentiality, privacy breaches due to video information leaks, and a shortage of doctors caused by avoidance of surgical specialties as reasons for opposing CCTV installation. They demanded the formation of a discussion body involving the medical community, government, political circles, and patient groups to thoroughly deliberate before implementing any policy.

Installation of CCTV in the operating room.
Photo by Yonhap News

Experts emphasize the necessity of mandatory CCTV installation in operating rooms for minimal safety while also recommending the establishment of a CCTV management system.

A domestic expert on CCTV said, "Before debating pros and cons, we need to understand why this controversy arose," explaining, "Generally, if CCTV is installed in operating rooms, the opposition would be expected from patients who expose their bodies. However, the situation is reversed now. Due to frequent occurrences of proxy surgeries and sexual violence, which have become social issues, patients are advocating for CCTV installation despite the risk of personal information exposure."

Regarding concerns that medical staff might be perceived as 'potential criminals,' the expert questioned, "CCTV is also used in subways and public facilities. Does that mean all citizens using these facilities are considered potential criminals?" and added, "CCTV is mandatory in kindergartens and nursing homes. If problems had not occurred in operating rooms initially, this debate would not have arisen."

Addressing concerns about a surge in medical disputes due to CCTV, the expert said, "Not all medical staff are criminals, nor do all patients file lawsuits," calling the worry about increased medical disputes a logical contradiction.

He continued, "There is an issue of personal information exposure of patients or medical staff through CCTV, but if such incidents occur, it is the hospital's responsibility as the managing entity," and "Hospitals should create a management system that, for example, disposes of CCTV footage after a certain period."

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