Doctor fined 20 million won after elderly patient dies from heart tear during acupuncture

A Korean-medicine doctor faced a 20 million-won penalty after a 92-year-old patient died from a heart-muscle tear while receiving acupuncture for back pain. The incident occurred on August 14, 2022, when the physician inserted needles into the patient’s chest around 2:35 p.m.; the patient collapsed and died at 5:08 p.m. Prosecutors argued the doctor neglected basic safety steps, such as checking the pulse and informing the patient of chest-acupuncture hazards, and abandoned the patient for roughly 15 minutes after the patient complained of chest pain and showed breathing trouble. The Daejeon District Court acknowledged the fatal outcome but cited the doctor’s confession, expressed remorse, and a settlement with the victim’s relatives as mitigating factors in setting the fine.