Family of deceased patient alleges police negligence in psychiatric hospital death

The family of a woman who died at a psychiatric hospital operated by specialist Yang Jae-woong has accused police of a failed initial investigation and highlighted missing evidence. During a National Assembly audit of the Gyeonggi Nambu and Bukbu Police Agencies, the deceased's mother testified that her daughter died in an isolation room just 17 days after being admitted to treat diet drug dependency.

The family alleges that 21 minutes of CCTV footage covering the time of the patient's death is missing. They further claimed that while the National Human Rights Commission discovered falsified nursing records and illegal restraint without a doctor's order, the police delayed searching the hospital for six months and eventually halted the investigation citing delays in medical association appraisals.

The incident, which occurred in Bucheon in May 2024, involved a patient who died of intestinal obstruction. Five individuals, including the attending physician and nurses, are under investigation for professional negligence. The hospital has since closed following a three-month suspension.