A Pastor Pretending to Be a Korean Medicine Doctor... Woman Follower Dies After Acupuncture in Chest

60s Woman Dies After Incorrect Acupuncture in Chest
Sentenced to 2 Years 6 Months Prison with 4 Years Probation

A man in his 60s who performed acupuncture without a licensed Korean medicine doctor's license and caused the death of a female follower was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

According to the legal community on the 6th, the Cheongju District Court's 1st Criminal Division (Chief Judge Kim Seong-sik) sentenced Mr. A (62), who was indicted on charges including professional negligence resulting in death, to 2 years and 6 months in prison with a 4-year suspension on appeal, the same as the original trial.

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Mr. A was charged with causing the death of female follower Ms. B (67) by performing acupuncture on her chest at his home on January 10 last year at 4:30 p.m., receiving 50,000 won for the procedure.

Without a Korean medicine doctor's license, Mr. A had operated a Korean medicine clinic at his home from March 2021 until January last year, performing medical treatments. As a pastor, he pretended to be a Korean medicine doctor by inserting acupuncture needles into patients' bodies and charging about 50,000 won per session.

However, he incorrectly inserted a needle into Ms. B's chest, causing a pneumothorax. Ms. B received treatment at a general hospital in Chungbuk but ultimately passed away.

The court stated, "The defendant bears heavy responsibility as the victim died after receiving acupuncture treatment," and explained the sentencing by considering that "the defendant admitted to the crime, reached a smooth settlement with the bereaved family who do not wish for punishment, and has no prior criminal record exceeding a fine."

The prosecutor appealed, citing the inappropriateness of the sentence in the first trial, but the appellate court upheld the original judgment.

The appellate court ruled, "Considering that the defendant reached a smooth settlement with the bereaved family who do not wish for punishment, the original sentence is not deemed too light or inappropriate."

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