"A Forewarned Disaster": Ruling and Opposition Parties Call for Measures Following Newborn Death in Jeonju

Following the SBS report on the death of a newborn in Jeonju, voices from the political sphere have emerged, calling for solutions to the shortage of neonatal medical personnel.

Kim Mi-ae, Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the People Power Party, stated during a party policy meeting today, "Finding a neonatal sub-specialist to manage intensive care units is like picking stars from the sky, and even the remaining medical staff have reached their limits in enduring on-call shifts." She emphasized, "This incident is a forewarned disaster."

Kim added, "There are only 13 pediatric residents left in the entire country," and urged, "I once again call for the swift preparation of measures to expand the number of neonatal specialists, whether by significantly increasing medical fees or providing special support, by any means necessary."

Previously, Han Byung-do, Policy Committee Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at a policy coordination meeting yesterday, "This matter is not just a problem of one hospital or one medical team, but a warning for the entire essential medical system, which has relied on the personal sacrifices of medical staff to save children's lives."

Han further emphasized, "The National Assembly will support the government's announced plans—such as increasing hospitalization fees for neonatal intensive care units, improving fees for high-risk deliveries, and expanding regional subsidies—with legislation and budget to ensure they lead to changes in the field."

SBS previously reported on the full details of the incident in which a baby born in Jeonju passed away after a professor, surnamed Kim, who had been virtually solely responsible for the neonatal intensive care unit at Jeonbuk National University Hospital, announced his resignation on June 28 following exhaustion from overwork, including 90-hour work weeks and continuous on-call shifts of up to 50 hours.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.