Police to summon doctor in 36-week abortion case

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said it plans to summon the doctor who carried out an abortion for a woman who was 36 weeks pregnant and detailed her experience in a YouTube video.

A woman shows her bloated belly in a video where she details her experience of terminating a nine-month pregnancy. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Police said Monday that they plan to summon a doctor on murder charges in connection with the abortion of a 36-week-old fetus.

“Upon the completion of an analysis of confiscated articles, the police will investigate the head doctor of the hospital who led the surgery,” said Kim Bong-sik, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, during a regular press briefing.

In June, a woman posted a video on YouTube detailing her experience terminating a pregnancy at 36 weeks. The video prompted the Ministry of Health and Welfare to file a criminal complaint on murder charges to police.

Kim added that the agency has already investigated three medical staff members who provided assistance during the surgery and an anesthetist who attended the surgery.

Kim said the police conducted an additional search and seizure at the hospital and involved medical staff last week.

In August, the Seoul police said it booked the YouTuber and the head of the hospital on murder charges. Three other medical staff members and the anesthetist were also booked on charges of abetting murder.

The police also slapped a travel ban on the content creator and the five medical professionals to prevent them from fleeing overseas.

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