'Why Isn't the Transport Faster?'... 60-Year-Old Man Arrested for Abusing and Assaulting Paramedics

"Concerns Over Recidivism Due to Unstable Housing"

Reference photo [Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] A man in his 60s who verbally abused and assaulted a 119 paramedic transporting him to the hospital has been detained by the Fire Special Judicial Police.

The Northern Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 2nd that "a man in his 60s, Mr. A, was urgently arrested on charges of violating the 119 Rescue and Emergency Medical Service Act and was sent to the prosecution with an indictment opinion."

Mr. A is accused of verbally abusing and repeatedly hitting the face of the dispatched 119 paramedic.

According to the investigation by the Fire Special Judicial Police, Mr. A committed the crime against the Uijeongbu Fire Station 119 paramedic who responded to a resident's report on the 19th of last month about "a person lying on the street in poor physical condition," because "the transfer was not happening quickly."

Mr. A, who was transported to the hospital, disappeared without receiving treatment and was urgently arrested on the 27th of last month by the Fire Special Judicial Police in the emergency room of a hospital. It is reported that Mr. A's residence is not clearly known.

The Fire Special Judicial Police, with cooperation from related agencies, detained Mr. A at Uijeongbu Prison and executed an arrest warrant. Afterward, based on statements from victims and witnesses and evidence, the investigation was concluded and Mr. A was sent to the prosecution on the 1st.

A Fire Judicial Team official stated, "The reasons for Mr. A's urgent arrest and execution of the arrest warrant are unclear residence and risk of reoffending," adding, "Urgent arrest and detention investigations are exceptionally handled by the fire department."

Im Won-seop, head of the Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, "We will continue to strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy against offenders who obstruct firefighting activities, such as assaulting paramedics, to eradicate such incidents."

Meanwhile, incidents of assaulting paramedics have occurred 47 times in Northern Gyeonggi over the past three years (2018?2020), and six cases have occurred this year alone, with the Fire Special Judicial Police directly investigating and sending them to prosecution.

The current 119 Rescue and Emergency Medical Service Act stipulates that anyone who obstructs the duties of firefighting officials engaged in rescue and emergency medical activities shall be punished by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

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