"Is Korea a Pushover?": Fallout Grows Over Ajou University Hospital Raid Following Infant Death

The fallout is spreading over the recent search and seizure conducted by the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency at the Pediatric Specialized Emergency Medical Center of Ajou University Hospital.

The incident began in July, when a 4-month-old Uzbek infant was transported in cardiac arrest, and medical staff performed CPR for over an hour before the child passed away.

Lee Ji-sook, head of the Pediatric Specialized Emergency Medical Center at Ajou University Hospital, explained during a press conference held at the National Assembly on October 15, "Immediately after the infant's death, the parents reported the matter to 112, two detectives entered the emergency room, and three police officers from the forensic science unit carrying cameras subsequently came in as well."

At the time, as the parents of the deceased infant filed a complaint against the medical staff alleging medical malpractice, police proceeded with a search and seizure of the emergency center on September 30.

On-site medical staff expressed deep anger, stating, "Amidst an urgent treatment situation, the investigative team inspected medical computers and took photographs, severely disrupting emergency medical care."

Amidst backlash from the medical community, testimonies emerged that key pediatric emergency specialists, including one specialist from Ajou University Hospital's pediatric emergency center, have submitted their resignations and are leaving the field.

As concerns grow over the paralysis of the pediatric emergency medical system, with discussions even arising among some hospitals about returning their pediatric emergency center designations, the arrows of criticism are turning not only toward the police but also toward the parents of the deceased infant.

Criticism and concern are pouring out from netizens on online communities, with comments such as, "It is excessive to sue medical staff who did their best to save the child and even call the police," and "Overzealous investigations that ignore the unique circumstances of the emergency room are ultimately leading to greater harm in the form of a pediatric emergency medical vacuum."

In response, the police explained that the search and seizure was not an excessive investigation, stating, "We conducted only minimal checks for 17 minutes after patient treatment had concluded." However, concerns persist regarding the eroding trust in medical staff and the fallout of a potential pediatric emergency room collapse triggered by this incident.

(Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Ahn Jun-hyeok | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.