Patient's family demanding transfer to Seoul National University Hospital threatens to "report to police" after doctor's refusal

Lee Jae-myung Party Leader's 'Seoul Transfer' Controversy... Patients "Send Me to Seoul Too"
"Leader Lee Leaves a Bad Precedent... Hard to Convince Patients to Transfer"

At an event for the new airport on Gadeokdo Island in Busan, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was attacked and subsequently transferred from Busan National University Hospital to Seoul National University Hospital, raising concerns about the issue of 'inter-hospital transfer.' As a result, the distress among doctors currently working in emergency rooms has deepened, with patients' families demanding to be sent to Seoul National University Hospital. There have even been cases where patient families reported doctors to the police for not providing the requested medical protocol, sparking controversy.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is being transported from the Nodle Island helipad in Yongsan-gu, Seoul to Seoul National University Hospital on the 2nd.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 16th, a post titled "Wow, they really showed up" was uploaded to an online community exclusively for emergency medicine doctors who have verified their employment. The author, Mr. A, said, "My father was suspected of having a corneal laceration after being hit by a toy thrown by his daughter, and the mother demanded to be sent to Seoul National University Hospital," adding, "When they were told no, they immediately reported it to the police. I never thought I would experience such a patient in real life."

In the online community, which requires workplace verification for membership, Dr. B, who has verified their medical profession, expressed, "It’s exhausting to persuade patients who call an ambulance demanding to be transferred to Seoul like Lee Jae-myung," and lamented, "Lee Jae-myung has set a very bad precedent. Just thinking about having to convince patients in the clinic to be sent to Seoul by 119 ambulance makes me sigh."

A doctor currently working in the field revealed that they were reported to the police by a patient in an online community accessible only to emergency medicine attending physicians.
[Photo by Online Community Capture]

Another doctor, Dr. C, said, "A patient undergoing surgery for acute cholecystitis wanted to go to a hospital in Seoul, so I had no choice but to write a transfer referral," adding, "But the patient also called for a 119 ambulance, and I was exhausted trying to persuade them that it was not possible. They insisted on why they couldn’t go by ambulance. Lee Jae-myung really left a bad precedent. Our hospital is fully capable of performing the surgery, but I’m tired of persuading patients who refuse surgery just because it’s a local hospital."

Such demands from patients to be transferred to Seoul are becoming a burden for healthcare workers. Some voices are rising, pointing out that Lee’s transfer from Busan, a provincial area, to Seoul National University Hospital is gradually reflecting a collapse of trust in local medical services.

In response, Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Pediatric Society, posted on his social media, calling it the "Lee Jae-myung effect," stating, "Previously, this happened occasionally, but recently, more patients are boldly demanding, 'Lee Jae-myung got it done, so why can’t I?'" Earlier, on the 3rd, President Lim strongly criticized Lee’s actions, saying, "Instead of increasing medical students, we need to increase helicopters. If Seoul National University Hospital refuses treatment, patients can say, 'Lee Jae-myung got it, so why can’t I?' and demand a helicopter immediately."

On the same day, Lee Kyung-won, a professor of emergency medicine at Yongin Severance Hospital, stated in a press release, "If it was an emergency, treatment should have been received in Busan," adding, "If this continues, how can any citizen trust local hospitals or the national trauma emergency medical system?"

Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) announced that it is investigating whether Lee’s helicopter transfer constitutes preferential treatment following a report. The Democratic Party responded, "The essence of the incident is an assassination attempt," and said, "The ACRC is inflicting secondary harm on the opposition leader who was the victim of an assassination attempt. Starting an investigation while clearly knowing there is no problem is a political maneuver with clear intent."

Previously, on the 2nd, Lee was attacked in Busan and received emergency treatment at Busan National University Hospital before being airlifted by helicopter to Seoul National University Hospital. After undergoing internal jugular vein suturing surgery at Seoul National University Hospital, Lee was discharged in October. The attacker, Mr. Kim (67), who stabbed Lee, was detained and sent to prosecution on the 10th on charges of attempted murder.

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