Korean army sergeant beats all odds with 'miraculous survival'

A Korean army sergeant beat a one percent chance of survival thanks to the persistence of military personnel who advocated for continuing his treatment.

Choi, on the bed, takes a picture with his army colleagues in a hospital. The picture is uploaded on a Facebook page relaying stories about military experiences on Thursday, along with Choi's father's thank you letter. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

A Korean army sergeant beat a one percent chance of survival thanks to the persistence of military personnel who advocated for continuing his treatment.

The father of sergeant Choi on Thursday shared the story of his son's survival in a Facebook post, conveying his gratitude toward his son’s fellow soldiers and military medics who fought to continue his son's patient care when doctors saw him as incurable.

In August last year, Choi's father received a call that his son fainted during a nighttime military drill.

The father wrote how the situation was hopeless, as doctors at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital told him that his unconscious son may “not survive, as he could not breathe by himself and had multi-organ failure.”

Choi received emergency patient care at the military-run Armed Forces Capital Hospital and later was transferred to the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital in Gyeonggi.

Medical professionals said his son had a “chance of survival at less than one percent.” Some doctors floated the idea of discontinuing the life-sustaining treatment as his son was likely to “become brain-dead or be in a vegetative state."

At this point, a major surnamed Nam from the Armed Forces Medical Command stepped in and persuaded the doctors to continue the treatment. Nam thought it was too hasty to quit the treatment as the patient was young and had “spirit as a combatant.”

Thus, the round-the-clock treatment continued.

Other military personnel also helped the father and his unconscious son. Captain Seo from the medical command and Major Cho from the army headquarters explained “complicated medical jargon in an easier language” to the father, giving him perspective on what kinds of decisions were needed.

In Thursday’s written message, the father thanked and credited former and incumbent brigade commanders, command sergeant majors and his son's fellow soldier colleagues at the 1st Special Forces Brigade.

“Because of their dedication and care, my son made a miraculous survival against the odds of one percent and surprised medical professionals at the hospital,” the father said.

After being bedridden seven months, Choi returned to his team.

The father said he is “relieved” that his son serves in the army, which “provided genuine effort and showed sincerity” in saving him.

The father said the experience where military personnel united altogether to save one person was “extraordinary,” and was grateful for the coordination.

In response to the message, Nam replied that the “strong will of Choi himself, faith of Choi's families and caring from his colleagues” made such a miracle possible.

Nam additionally wrote that a salute from sergeant Choi was the most honorable one he had ever received, as he gave the salute while struggling to control his body due to spending months bedridden.

“I am the one who should be more thankful [to Choi]," Nam said.

BY LEE JI-YOUNG, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]