"Helicopter Transfer, Representative Lee Jae-myung Will Be Reported," Society of Otolaryngologists Claims 'Obstruction of Business'

Amid ongoing critical statements from medical organizations regarding Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was attacked with a weapon in Busan and transferred from Busan National University Hospital to Seoul National University Hospital, one organization announced its intention to file a complaint against him.

During his visit to Busan, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was stabbed with a weapon, is being transported to Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 2nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 7th, the Korean Pediatric Society announced that it plans to file a complaint at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office at 11 a.m. on the 8th, accusing Lee and his associates of obstructing the operations of Busan National University Hospital and Seoul National University Hospital.

The Pediatric Society claimed that Lee obstructed the operations of both hospitals by being airlifted to Seoul by helicopter on the day of the attack.

At the time of the incident, Lee sustained a stab wound to the left side of his neck, received emergency treatment at Busan National University Hospital, and was then transported by fire department helicopter to Seoul National University Hospital, where he underwent vascular reconstruction surgery.

In response, medical organizations from metropolitan areas including Busan, Gwangju, and Seoul have consecutively issued statements criticizing Lee's helicopter transfer.

The Busan Medical Association stated in a statement, "We condemn the Democratic Party of Korea for disregarding local medical communities and trampling on the medical delivery system."

The Seoul Medical Association also expressed its position, saying, "We fully agree with the Busan Medical Association's criticism that the preferential helicopter transfer disregarded local medical communities and trampled on the medical delivery system, reflecting the Democratic Party's double-faced behavior."

On the other hand, opposing views were raised, arguing that the transfer was conducted through proper procedures and was a natural decision given that the leader of the main opposition party, ranked eighth in the national protocol hierarchy at the prime minister level, was attacked.

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo pointed out via SNS on the 5th, "If the leader of the main opposition party, ranked eighth in the national protocol hierarchy at the prime minister level, was attacked with a weapon, it is possible to transfer him to Seoul by helicopter reflecting the wishes of himself and his family," adding, "The argument that Busan's medical services were disrespected is unreasonable. Why is no criticism made of the crowds gathering at the Suseo Station bus stop in Seoul from all over the country to go to Samsung Hospital?"

He continued, "We should first think about raising the level of local medical services to match the public's level of awareness," adding, "Increasing medical school admissions is urgent, but it is an even more urgent issue to raise the level of local medical services to be as trustworthy to the public as those in the metropolitan area."

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