36-Week Fetus Abortion Case: Hospital Director, Surgeon, and YouTuber Charged with Murder
A hospital director, a doctor, and a YouTuber in her 20s who underwent a 36-week fetus abortion have been referred to the prosecution on murder charges.
On the 4th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Criminal Investigation Team announced that the director of a Seoul-based hospital, referred to as Mr. B (in his 80s), and the operating surgeon, Mr. C (in his 60s), have been transferred to the prosecution under arrest. They are accused of conducting an illegal abortion on a fetus at 36 weeks of gestation, leading to the fetus's death.
According to the investigation, Mr. B operated the hospital and authorized the surgery, while Mr. C, an obstetrician from another hospital, performed the abortion at that hospital.
The police reported that they secured significant evidence demonstrating that the fetus was alive before and after birth by comprehensively analyzing medical records, CCTV footage, and testimonies from medical staff and related individuals obtained through searches.
The case came to light after a YouTuber, referred to as Ms. A, posted a video titled "36-Week Abortion Experience" on her YouTube channel last year.
After confirming the video, the Ministry of Health and Welfare requested an investigation by the police. During the investigation, it was found that Ms. A received diagnoses confirming her fetus's health from two different initial consultation hospitals just days before undergoing the abortion.
Nonetheless, Ms. A received an abortion at Mr. B's hospital under Mr. C's operation, and the police have determined that the fetus died after being expelled from Ms. A's body.
Ms. A has been sent to the prosecution without detention on murder charges, and two brokers who facilitated her visit to the hospital have also been sent without detention on charges of violating medical laws.
The police continue to investigate four medical personnel involved in the surgery on charges of complicity in murder.
Meanwhile, under South Korea's Mother and Child Health Act, abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy are illegal.
However, a 2019 Constitutional Court ruling declared that the abortion crime under the Criminal Code is no longer effective. This case has emerged as a significant issue in the context of legal voids related to abortion and has garnered attention from the legal and medical communities.
Image source: Ms. A's YouTube screenshot, illustrative material for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank
