Hospital Director and Surgeon Arrested in Controversial 36-Week Abortion Case

On June 28, the director of a gynecology hospital and the surgeon involved in a controversial 36-week abortion case were arrested. This follows an earlier attempt by police to secure arrest warrants in October of last year, which was denied. After eight months, authorities have now successfully apprehended the suspects.

The Seoul Central District Court's Chief Judge Park Jeong-ho issued the arrest warrants for the hospital director, identified as Yoon, and the surgeon, identified as Shim, citing concerns over potential evidence tampering. The charges against them include 'murder.'

The case gained public attention when a pregnant woman, referred to as A, shared her experience of undergoing an abortion at 36 weeks on her YouTube channel in June of last year, detailing the procedure and its costs. This sparked significant controversy, prompting the Ministry of Health and Welfare to request a police investigation a month later. The Seoul Metropolitan Police confirmed that the abortion had indeed taken place and subsequently charged A, Yoon, and Shim with murder. Four other medical staff members were charged with aiding and abetting the crime. Additionally, Yoon faces charges for violating medical laws by failing to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) in the hospital.

Police conducted three searches of the hospital, seizing 13 electronic devices, including mobile phones and tablets, along with 18 pieces of medical documentation. They also sought expert medical opinions regarding the condition of the fetus at the time of delivery. Although an arrest warrant was initially denied in October due to a lack of compelling evidence, further investigations revealed that A had undergone a cesarean section and that the fetus was alive at the time of birth. Police also confirmed that A had received initial check-ups at two other hospitals, where the fetus was reported to be healthy.

Authorities believe that the fetus was left unattended immediately after birth, which they consider a significant factor in its death. Meanwhile, A, who has also been charged with murder, is currently under investigation without detention.