Latest news with #MedicalServiceAct


The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
S. Korean YouTuber indicted with murder over abortion video, baby allegedly born alive and placed in freezer
SEOUL: A South Korean YouTuber who posted a video detailing what she said was an abortion at 36 weeks of pregnancy, and the doctors who performed it, have been indicted for murder. South Korea's Supreme Prosecutors' Office said on Thursday (July 24) that it has indicted three on murder charges in connection with the death of the baby: a hospital director surnamed Yoon, a surgeon surnamed Shim and the YouTuber surnamed Kwon. Two brokers who introduced patients to the hospital were charged with violating the Medical Service Act. According to the prosecutors, the baby was allegedly born alive through a Caesarean operation and later placed in a freezer. 'We will do our utmost to ensure that all profits obtained through this crime are fully confiscated, to send a strong message against such inhumane acts driven by financial gain and a disregard for life,' the prosecutors said in a statement. The case came to public attention in June 2024 when Kwon uploaded the video saying she had received an abortion at 36 weeks, considered full-term under medical guidelines. The South Korean police found that the baby was still alive when it was removed, and the hospital director and surgeon then allegedly placed the newborn under a surgical drape and put it into a freezer, where it died. Prosecutors said hospital staff attempted to conceal the incident by falsifying Kwon's medical records. They allegedly recorded symptoms such as abdominal pain and bleeding to make it look like a stillbirth. A false diagnosis was also allegedly issued. The investigation also uncovered a wider illegal abortion scheme. From August 2022 to July 2023, the hospital allegedly performed over 500 illegal abortions arranged through brokers, earning nearly 1.5 billion won (US$1 million) in total. Abortion remains in a legal grey area in South Korea. In April 2019, South Korea's Constitutional Court ruled the country's criminalisation of all abortions unconstitutional. However, the South Korean National Assembly has yet to enact a new law governing abortions to legalise it. - The Korea Herald/ANN

Straits Times
6 days ago
- Straits Times
South Korean YouTuber indicted with murder over late-term abortion video
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Kwon uploaded the video saying she had received an abortion at 36 weeks, considered full-term under medical guidelines. A South Korean YouTuber who posted a video detailing what she said was an abortion at 36 weeks of pregnancy , and the doctors who performed it, have been indicted for murder. South Korea's Supreme Prosecutors' Office said on July 24 that it has indicted three on murder charges in connection with the death of the baby: a hospital director surnamed Yoon, a surgeon surnamed Shim and the YouTuber surnamed Kwon. Two brokers who introduced patients to the hospital were charged with violating the Medical Service Act. According to the prosecutors, the baby was allegedly born alive through a caesarean operation and later placed in a freezer. 'We will do our utmost to ensure that all profits obtained through this crime are fully confiscated, to send a strong message against such inhumane acts driven by financial gain and a disregard for life,' the prosecutors said in a statement. The case came to public attention in June 2024 when Kwon uploaded the video saying she had received an abortion at 36 weeks, considered full-term under medical guidelines. The South Korean police found that the baby was still alive when it was removed, and the hospital director and surgeon then allegedly placed the newborn under a surgical drape and put it into a freezer, where it died. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Live: Thai-Cambodia border clash Asia At least 2 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years in S'pore Boys' Home Business MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: MOS Dinesh Business New tie-up offers insurance savings for SMEs committed to workers' health and well-being Singapore What's key to a good life? Most Singapore residents choose emotional and mental well-being Singapore Over 2 years' jail for man who worked with wife to cheat her then-boyfriend of $220k Asia South Korea police raid offices of BTS' agency Hybe over share probe Prosecutors said hospital staff attempted to conceal the incident by falsifying Kwon's medical records. They allegedly recorded symptoms such as abdominal pain and bleeding to make it look like a stillbirth. A false diagnosis was also allegedly issued. The investigation also uncovered a wider illegal abortion scheme. From August 2022 to July 2023, the hospital allegedly performed over 500 illegal abortions arranged through brokers, earning nearly 1.5 billion won (S$1.40 million) in total. Abortion remains in a legal grey area in South Korea. In April 2019, South Korea's Constitutional Court ruled the country's criminalisation of all abortions unconstitutional. However, the South Korean National Assembly has yet to enact a new law governing abortions to legalise it. THE KOREAN HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK


Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Korea Herald
Baby born alive, then frozen: YouTuber, doctors indicted for murder in 36-week abortion case
A South Korean YouTuber who posted a video detailing what she said was an abortion at 36 weeks of pregnancy, and the doctors who performed it, have been indicted for murder. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office said Thursday that they have indicted three on murder charges in connection with the death of the baby: A hospital director surnamed Yoon, a surgeon surnamed Shim and the YouTuber surnamed Kwon. Two brokers who introduced patients to the hospital were charged with violating the Medical Service Act. According to the prosecutors, the baby was allegedly born alive through a C-section and later placed in a freezer. "We will do our utmost to ensure that all profits obtained through this crime are fully confiscated, to send a strong message against such inhumane acts driven by financial gain and a disregard for life," the prosecutors said in a statement. The case came to public attention in June last year when Kwon uploaded the video saying she had received an abortion at 36 weeks, considered full-term under medical guidelines. Police found that the still alive when it was removed, and the hospital director and surgeon then allegedly placed the newborn under a surgical drape and put it into a freezer, where it died. Prosecutors said hospital staff attempted to conceal the incident by falsifying Kwon's medical records. They recorded symptoms such as abdominal pain and bleeding to make it look like a stillbirth. A false diagnosis was also issued. The investigation also uncovered a wider illegal abortion scheme. From August 2022 to July 2023, the hospital allegedly performed over 500 illegal abortions arranged through brokers, earning nearly 1.5 billion won ($1.09 million) in total. Abortion remains in a legal gray area in South Korea. In April 2019, the Constitutional Court ruled the country's criminalization of all abortions unconstitutional. However, the National Assembly has yet to enact a new law governing abortions to legalize it.