Woman in Her 50s Swears at and Assaults Paramedics Who Helped Her After Staircase Fall—But Why?

[Financial News] A woman in her 50s has been brought to trial on charges of swearing at and assaulting firefighters who were providing emergency assistance after she fell on a staircase. However, the court decided to suspend her sentence, taking into account the paramedics’ wishes not to pursue punishment.
According to the court on the 20th, the single-judge panel of the Wonju Branch Court of Chuncheon District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kim Hyun-jun, held a sentencing hearing on the 11th for Ms. A (54), who was tried without detention for violating the Act on 119 Rescue and Emergency Medical Services. The court suspended the imposition of a fine of 1 million won.
On August 9th at around 10:23 p.m., Ms. A fell and injured herself in an apartment complex in Wonju, Gangwon Province. While paramedics were providing emergency care, she verbally abused them, struck their faces and torsos with a towel, and hit a firefighter’s shoulder with her hand holding a mobile phone. She was subsequently brought to trial on charges of assault.
According to the indictment, the paramedics had been dispatched after receiving a report that an intoxicated person had fallen on the stairs. While checking Ms. A’s condition—she had fallen backward on the stairs and developed swelling on the back of her head—they experienced the incident described above.
Judge Kim Hyun-jun pointed out, "Paramedics dispatched in response to a report are required to carry out rescue and emergency activities regardless of the defendant’s wishes. At the time of the incident, even if the defendant did not want assistance, the paramedics could not arbitrarily stop their activities."
He continued, "Nevertheless, the defendant swore at and assaulted the paramedics because she was embarrassed that the situation had become known. However, considering that she admitted to the offense, the paramedic victim did not wish to pursue punishment, and the degree of violence was relatively minor, the court decided on this sentence."
gaa1003@fnnews.com Ahn Ga-eul Reporter