An old man in Pukchong County, South Hamgyong Province, died after being refused treatment at a hospital, provoking criticism of the North Korean authorities, Daily NK has learned.
Speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons, a source in South Hamgyong Province told Daily NK on Dec. 1 that the death of the old man, who was in his eighties, occurred in mid-November.
“Everybody has been talking about the incident after it came out that the old man was a veteran [of the Korean War],” the source said.
According to the source, the old man had been living with his son and daughter-in-law after losing his wife a decade or so before. Given his advanced age, the man had suffered from a number of ailments this year. Because his struggling family did not have enough to eat, the old man’s health gradually worsened until he became bedridden in October.
One evening in the middle of November, the old man’s breath suddenly grew ragged and one of his legs stiffened. Disturbed by the symptoms, the son put his father on his back and rushed him to the county hospital.
There was only one doctor on night duty at the hospital that evening. After taking one look at the old man, the doctor said the hospital could not do anything for him and suggested that he go to the provincial hospital, without even providing any emergency care.
The son strenuously complained, noting that his father was a war veteran, but his appeals fell on deaf ears.
Sensing the urgency of his father’s condition, the son picked the old man up again and was about to take him to the provincial hospital, but the old man said he was fine and just wanted to go home. After all, the old man pointed out, there was no telling when they could find a ride to the provincial hospital.
The old man died while his son was carrying him back home, the source said.
After that, rumors began spreading throughout Pukchong County that the old man had died because he had not received any treatment or even emergency care at the county hospital.
North Koreans who heard the rumors were horrified that a veteran who had fought for his country could be left to die on the street without receiving any kind of medical attention. Some noted sadly that ordinary people could not expect much when even veterans were being treated like that, the source said.
“Veterans are used in various kinds of propaganda in North Korea, and their revolutionary spirit is taught in school. So when this kind of thing happens, it arouses criticism and makes people wonder why anyone would be willing to risk their lives to fight in a war.”
The North Korean authorities often praise veterans as “heroes who gladly gave up their youth and their lives” and as “the precious treasures of our country.” Veterans are shown particular respect on July 27, the date of the signing of the armistice agreement which North Korea celebrates as Victory Day, but that is just fleeting political propaganda, according to the source.
“Bringing old veterans to Pyongyang to take a few pictures and hand out some clothing or other gifts means little. The important thing is setting up government programs to take good care of our veterans,” he remarked.
After news broke about the old man’s death, there has been mounting pressure for the provincial hospital and the doctor who was on duty to face consequences, but locals remain critical of the authorities.
“They ought to have gotten their act together a long time ago. What’s the point now that the man is dead?” one person remarked.
Translated by David Carruth. Edited by Robert Lauler.
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