Lee Jae-myung's 'Seoul Helicopter Transfer' Controversy... Busan Medical Association Says "Ignoring Local Medical Community"

"Using Helicopters in Non-Emergency Situations... Patient Opportunities Taken Away"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was transported by helicopter from Busan National University Hospital to Seoul National University Hospital after being attacked with a bladed weapon. In response, the Busan Medical Association raised its voice, calling it "an act immersed in a sense of privilege that disregards the local medical community."

On the 4th, the Busan Medical Association issued a statement titled "Strongly Condemning the Hypocritical Behavior of the Democratic Party That Disregards Local Medical Care and Tramples on the Medical Delivery System," saying, "After the initial emergency treatment was carried out at Busan National University Hospital, local medical professionals cannot help but express their dismay at the Democratic Party leadership’s double standards and behavior immersed in a sense of privilege."

During his visit to Busan, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was stabbed with a weapon, is being transported from the Noryeok Helicopter Pad in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to Seoul National University Hospital on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Medical Association stated, "We wish for the speedy recovery of Representative Lee, who suffered physical and mental harm due to an unexpected terrorist attack, and we emphasize that violence can never be tolerated under any circumstances." However, they pointed out, "Despite all surgical preparations being ready at the nation’s top-level emergency trauma center, several hours were wasted under the pretext of nursing care to transfer him to a higher-level general hospital in the metropolitan area."

They continued, "In particular, Supreme Council Member Jeong Cheong-rae said, 'It seems he should be treated at a better hospital,' thereby ranking medical institutions and creating division between local and metropolitan areas. After this, does the Democratic Party even have the right to discuss the collapse of local medical care and the shortage of essential medical services?"

The Medical Association also said, "Using a 119 helicopter exclusively despite the situation not being a severe emergency deprived other patients who truly needed helicopter transport at that time of the opportunity," calling it "a deceptive act that reveals a hidden sense of superiority and a typical example of double standards."

The Medical Association demanded, "The largest opposition party in Korea outwardly advocates for local and essential medical care for the people, but when it comes to their own urgency, they showed an arrogant attitude. The Democratic Party must immediately apologize to local citizens and medical professionals for this hypocritical behavior."

Furthermore, they said, "The proposals for the 'local doctor system' and the 'establishment of local public medical schools' should be voluntarily withdrawn, and discussions with the medical community should be restarted from the beginning to build a stable medical system."

Meanwhile, Representative Lee was attacked with a bladed weapon on June 2 while visiting Gadukdo, Busan. He sustained a 1.4 cm stab wound to the left side of his neck, damaging the internal jugular vein. After receiving emergency treatment at Busan National University Hospital immediately following the attack, he was transferred by helicopter to Seoul National University Hospital.

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