Korean Medicine Doctor Fined Over Death of 92-Year-Old Patient During Acupuncture
A Korean medicine doctor has been fined 20 million won after a 92-year-old patient died following an acupuncture session.
On October 24, 2026, the Daejeon District Court announced the decision after finding the doctor guilty of charges that included causing death through professional negligence.
The incident happened on August 14, 2022, when the elderly patient visited the doctor for back pain treatment in South Korea. At around 2:35 p.m., the doctor reportedly inserted acupuncture needles into the patient’s chest.
The patient suffered damage to the heart muscle and died at around 5:08 p.m. that same day.
Prosecutors said the doctor failed to check the patient’s pulse before the procedure and did not explain the possible risks of inserting acupuncture needles into the chest.
The doctor was also accused of failing to respond properly when the patient complained of chest pain and showed signs of difficulty breathing. According to the prosecution, the patient was left without proper care for about 15 minutes before losing consciousness.
The doctor also faced a separate charge of failing to prepare medical records.
During the investigation, the doctor was additionally charged with obstructing a business after allegedly placing several large rocks in front of a cafe operated by an acquaintance following a personal disagreement. The rocks reportedly blocked customer vehicles from entering the establishment.
The court considered the seriousness of the patient’s death and the doctor’s actions in the separate business obstruction case.
However, the court also took into account the doctor’s admission of wrongdoing, expression of regret, and settlement with the patient’s family. The doctor had also deposited money intended to compensate the cafe owner for the separate incident.
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