Health · Healthcare & Policy · 11 hrs ago
Attack on Seoul psychiatrist renews calls for safer hospitals
A psychiatry professor was attacked at Severance Hospital in Seoul this month.
The professor, surnamed Kang, suffered a severe hand injury that required surgery, as well as cuts to the face and head.
The attack has renewed concerns about violence against medical staff in South Korea.
Nearly eight years ago, a psychiatrist was murdered, prompting the country to pass a law increasing penalties for assaults on medical staff.
Medical bodies say the law has not made hospitals safe and are calling for urgent security measures inside them.
They have not specified what measures will be introduced or when.
A psychiatry professor surnamed Kang was seriously injured in an attack at Severance Hospital in Seoul last Wednesday.
The attack has renewed calls from South Korea’s leading medical bodies for urgent security measures inside hospitals.
Kang suffered a severe hand injury requiring surgery, as well as cuts to the face and head.
The calls come nearly eight years after a psychiatrist’s murder prompted South Korea to increase penalties for assaulting medical staff.
Doctors say the current legal regime has failed to prevent violence against medical staff.
- Who
- A psychiatry professor surnamed Kang was attacked.
- What
- Kang suffered a severe hand injury requiring surgery and cuts to the face and head.
- When
- Last Wednesday, according to an article published on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Severance Hospital in Seoul, South Korea.
- Why
- The sources do not state a motive for the attack. Medical bodies say current laws have not prevented violence against staff.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A psychiatrist’s murder prompted South Korea to pass a law increasing penalties for assaulting medical staff.
A psychiatry professor surnamed Kang was attacked at Severance Hospital in Seoul.
South Korea’s leading medical bodies called for urgent new security measures inside hospitals.
- Victim
- Psychiatry professor surnamed Kang
- Hospital
- Severance Hospital
- Location
- Seoul, South Korea
- Injuries
- Severe hand injury requiring surgery, plus cuts to the face and head
- Earlier law
- Passed nearly eight years ago after a psychiatrist’s murder; increased penalties for assaulting medical staff