South Korean YouTuber indicted with murder over late-term abortion video
Kwon uploaded the video saying she had received an abortion at 36 weeks, considered full-term under medical guidelines.
A South Korean YouTuber who posted a video detailing what she said was an
abortion at 36 weeks of pregnancy , and the doctors who performed it, have been indicted for murder.
South Korea's Supreme Prosecutors' Office said on July 24 that it has indicted three on murder charges in connection with the death of the baby: a hospital director surnamed Yoon, a surgeon surnamed Shim and the YouTuber surnamed Kwon.
Two brokers who introduced patients to the hospital were charged with violating the Medical Service Act.
According to the prosecutors, the baby was allegedly born alive through a caesarean operation and later placed in a freezer.
'We will do our utmost to ensure that all profits obtained through this crime are fully confiscated, to send a strong message against such inhumane acts driven by financial gain and a disregard for life,' the prosecutors said in a statement.
The case came to public attention in June 2024 when Kwon uploaded the video saying she had received an abortion at 36 weeks, considered full-term under medical guidelines.
The South Korean police found that the baby was still alive when it was removed, and the hospital director and surgeon then allegedly placed the newborn under a surgical drape and put it into a freezer, where it died.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Asia Live: Thai-Cambodia border clash
Asia At least 2 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border
Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years in S'pore Boys' Home
Business MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: MOS Dinesh
Business New tie-up offers insurance savings for SMEs committed to workers' health and well-being
Singapore What's key to a good life? Most Singapore residents choose emotional and mental well-being
Singapore Over 2 years' jail for man who worked with wife to cheat her then-boyfriend of $220k
Asia South Korea police raid offices of BTS' agency Hybe over share probe
Prosecutors said hospital staff attempted to conceal the incident by falsifying Kwon's medical records.
They allegedly recorded symptoms such as abdominal pain and bleeding to make it look like a stillbirth. A false diagnosis was also allegedly issued.
The investigation also uncovered a wider illegal abortion scheme.
From August 2022 to July 2023, the hospital allegedly performed over 500 illegal abortions arranged through brokers, earning nearly 1.5 billion won (S$1.40 million) in total.
Abortion remains in a legal grey area in South Korea.
In April 2019, South Korea's Constitutional Court ruled the country's criminalisation of all abortions unconstitutional.
However, the South Korean National Assembly has yet to enact a new law governing abortions to legalise it. THE KOREAN HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
27 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Colombia denounces mass deportation of citizens from Ecuador
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Colombians who are deported by the Ecuadorian government line up at the Rumichaca International Bridge in Colombia, July 26, 2025. Colombian Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS BOGOTA - Colombia's Foreign Ministry on Friday criticized Ecuador for deporting large numbers of Colombian citizens without a formal protocol, describing it as a "unfriendly gesture," while Quito said the removals followed legal procedures and upheld human rights standards. On Thursday, the Colombian government reported that authorities in the neighboring country had announced plans to deport Colombians currently imprisoned in various Ecuadorian penitentiaries. "Through diplomatic channels, Colombia has formally lodged its strongest protest against the Ecuadorian government for this unfriendly act, and is currently evaluating appropriate measures in response," the Foreign Ministry said Friday night. The ministry emphasized that Ecuador had taken this action "without implementing any protocol to guarantee the safe, orderly, and respectful transfer of detainees, in line with their human rights." Ecuador's Foreign Ministry said in a statement it had notified Colombia via diplomatic channels of individual deportation proceedings starting July 8, and that the process followed the country's legal framework. Authorities underscored their commitment to due process, citing the issuance of individual rulings and judicial release orders. "Ecuador therefore rejects claims of mass deportations," the ministry said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar Meanwhile, Radio Caracol reported that Amilcar Pantoja, mayor of the Colombian border town of Ipiales, confirmed that around 700 Colombian detainees were being sent across the binational bridge without prior official notice. REUTERS
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Female driver caught in sinkhole was conscious when taken to hospital: MP Goh Pei Ming
Female driver caught in sinkhole was conscious when taken to hospital: MP Goh Pei Ming
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
HSA will not trace vape users who throw away e-vaporisers in disposable bins at 23 CCs
Find out what's new on ST website and app. SINGAPORE - Those who throw their vapes into designated disposal bins installed around Singapore can be assured their identities will not be traced, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on July 26. HSA said this in response to The Straits Times' queries about the 'Bin the Vape' initiative, regarding concerns about possible repercussions if vape users surrendered their devices. Launched by HSA, the Ministry of Health and the People's Association (PA) on July 25, bins were placed at 23 community clubs (CCs) and one residents' network centre around the island. Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000, but the authorities said during the launch that no action will be taken against those who voluntarily dispose of their vapes. On July 26, HSA said: 'We would like to assure members of the public that the Health Sciences Authority will not be tracing the identities of any persons who had binned the e-vaporisers. 'We strongly encourage the public to dispose of their e-vaporisers, if any, using these disposal bins as they offer a confidential, secure and responsible disposal method.' The red bin resembles a normal trash bin – but with posters of the initiative plastered on its front and top, promising a safe and confidential disposal of vapes. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar A CCTV camera aimed at the bin deters theft of the disposed vapes and tampering, but had sparked concerns among some about being watched or identified. Privacy issues involving the use of data came up during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, regarding data collected by contact tracing app and token TraceTogether. The authorities had originally said there was no intention to use TraceTogether data as a means of picking up breaches of existing rules, but later said it could be used for criminal investigations. This was because the Singapore Police Force is empowered under the Criminal Procedure Code to obtain any data, including TraceTogether data, for criminal investigations. HSA also addressed concerns about theft and tampering of the vape disposal bins. It said they are locked and secured to fixtures such as pillars. Once the vapes are dropped inside the bins, they will not be retrievable. Cases of tampering or theft will be referred to the police. HSA said vapes may contain illicit substances like etomidate or controlled drugs and should be disposed of properly in the bins. HSA added: 'These designated bins ensure these items are properly contained and destroyed, preventing them from being retrieved and potentially misused.' It added these bins will be emptied regularly, and the disposed vapes will be sent to the incineration plants for proper destruction under close supervision. The 'Bin the Vape' initiative is meant to encourage vape users to quit before the law catches up with them. The authorities noted that etomidate, a listed poison increasingly found in vapes here , will be classified as a Class C illegal drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in the coming weeks. On July 25, the authorities reminded vape users and those consuming etomidate to give up their habit immediately. Members of the public can visit to locate the nearest bin. HSA said the locations are not a reflection of rates of vape usage around Singapore, but were decided based on available and convenient locations island-wide and in consultation with the PA. The bins will be progressively placed in other locations, such as at institutes of higher learning. Since July 21, HSA has extended the operating hours for its Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 to report vaping-related offences. The hotline operates from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays. HSA has also launched a new online portal to report vaping-related offences at
