Patient Dies from 'Tube Misplacement'... University Hospital Intern Faces 10 Million Won Fine Request

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] A university hospital intern who caused a patient's death due to professional negligence has been sentenced to a fine.

On the 27th, the prosecution requested a fine of 10 million KRW for A (36), who was charged with professional negligence resulting in death, at the sentencing hearing presided over by Chief Judge Park Sang-hyun of the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 4.

The prosecution stated, "It was determined that a serious outcome occurred as the patient died due to professional negligence."

A, who was working as an intern at Chosun University Hospital at the time, was brought to trial on charges of causing a patient's death by incorrectly inserting a tube after performing a tracheostomy on October 16, 2020.

The patient died the next day from acute respiratory failure.

A initially denied the charges to the investigative authorities but later admitted to them.

In the final defense, A's lawyer appealed for leniency, saying, "There was a special circumstance as this was the first time encountering a patient with the rare incurable disease Lou Gehrig's disease, and an agreement has been reached with the bereaved family," adding, "This incident has made A more attentive and diligent in caring for patients."

A expressed, "I feel sorry to the victim's family and will strive to be a model member of society going forward."

The sentencing hearing will be held at 10:10 AM on the 17th of next month.

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