<p class="title">Korean Pediatric Society: "Opposition Leader Cuts Medical Queue... Lee Jae-myung and Others Reported"</p>

Following the stabbing incident in Busan, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was transported to Seoul National University Hospital for surgery, has been reported by a medical association on charges including obstruction of business.

The Korean Pediatric and Adolescent Medical Association announced on the morning of the 8th that it filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office against Lee, along with fellow party members Jeong Cheong-rae and Chun Jun-ho, on charges of obstructing the operations of Busan National University Hospital and Seoul National University Hospital, as well as violating the Emergency Medical Services Act.

Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is hospitalized.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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The medical association claimed that Lee obstructed the operations of both hospitals by being transported to Seoul via helicopter and violated the Emergency Medical Services Act by requesting helicopter transport despite the situation not being an emergency. The association stated, "The opposition leader mobilizing lawmakers to request transport constitutes abuse of medical staff and a demand for special treatment," adding, "It was an unfair jump ahead in the order of treatment and surgery using political power."

Earlier, on the 2nd, Lee was visiting Busan when he was attacked with a weapon. Immediately after, he was transported to Busan National University Hospital for emergency treatment and was then airlifted by helicopter to Seoul National University Hospital on the same day for surgery.

In response, some local medical associations have opposed the move, calling it "an act that disregards regional medical care." The Busan Medical Association issued a statement saying, "It trampled on the regional medical community and the medical delivery system," and added, "If Lee’s condition had been critical, he should have undergone surgery at Busan National University Hospital, the regional tertiary hospital, and even if not, he should have been transported to a local general hospital by regular means rather than by helicopter."

However, Seoul National University Hospital, where Lee’s surgery was performed, stated that the surgery was highly complex. Professor Min Seung-gi, a transplant vascular surgeon who conducted the surgery, explained at a press briefing, "Reconstruction of the internal jugular vein or artery, the injured areas, is a highly difficult surgery with no guaranteed success," and added, "It required surgery by an experienced vascular surgeon, and we prepared for the surgery upon the request of Busan National University Hospital."

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