The tragic death of the late Shin Hae-chul was again spotlighted, prompting both sorrow and anger.
Earlier, Shin Hae-chul died on Oct. 27, 2014, from hypoxic ischemic brain injury. The surgeon who performed the operation was later prosecuted on charges of professional negligence causing death, and a one-year prison sentence was upheld by the second trial court and the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, on the 5th, KBS 2TV's "Celebrity Soldier's Secret" revisited the details surrounding Shin Hae-chul's sudden death that shocked Korea in 2014.
At the time, Shin Hae-chul was in the midst of preparing an album after six years. But he visited a hospital with sudden abdominal pain and was diagnosed with intestinal obstruction, undergoing surgery. The problem began when the surgeon said right after the operation, "The surgery went well and I also stitched up the stomach a bit." Questions were raised about additional procedures unrelated to treatment.
A specialist who appeared on the program noted, "Reinforcement can be possible during intestinal obstruction surgery, but folding and suturing the stomach is not consistent with typical treatment purposes," and added, "It is even harder to accept when done without the patient's consent." It was also reported that Shin Hae-chul learned of the matter later and, "Who had the right to perform such an operation?" he said in anger, making the situation all the more tragic.
The bigger problem came after the surgery. Even after discharge, Shin Hae-chul repeatedly visited hospitals complaining of severe pain, and his condition worsened to the point where he was given narcotic painkillers. However, the attending medical staff performed only simple checks such as pressing his abdomen, and they did not take active measures because there were no abnormalities in the electrocardiogram.
Ultimately, in the early morning of the fifth day after surgery, he returned to the hospital. He complained of abdominal pain that spread to his chest, but was only prescribed painkillers. Right after the consultation he went to the restroom, complained of difficulty breathing, collapsed and never regained consciousness.
The autopsy results were even more shocking. A perforation was found in the pericardium, and peritonitis, pericarditis and sepsis were all present. In particular, foreign material presumed to be food (sesame) was found inside the pericardium, raising suspicions about the entire medical process. The case sparked social repercussions beyond a simple medical accident.
Did person A pay compensation to the bereaved family? At the time, Park Ho-gyun of the law firm Hippocrates, who represented the late Shin Hae-chul's family in the lawsuit, told OSEN in a phone interview, "That person has not paid the bereaved family anything (even now, four years later). He is showing an attitude of refusing to take responsibility," and this case being revisited has sparked public anger.
[Photo] SNS, Celebrity Soldier broadcast screen.
[OSEN]