Surgeon Questioned in Singer's Death

The doctor who conducted bowel surgery on Sin Hae-cheol talks to the press at Songpa Police Station in Seoul on Sunday. /Newsis

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A doctor at a hospital in Gangnam that conducted bowel surgery on Sin Hae-cheol was questioned by police on Sunday about the death of the legendary singer-songwriter.

The surgeon at Sky Hospital, surnamed Kang, managed to avoid intense media attention until now by canceling his regular appearance on a TV medical program.

Kang (44) appeared before police at around 2:45 p.m. and told throngs of reporters that he would "take responsibility" if he is found to responsible for any wrongdoing.

"I offer my sincerest condolences", he added.

But Kang would not be drawn on whether he adhered to proper procedures following the operation in mid-October or if he had any idea about the perforation on the pericardial sac surrounding the singer's heart, which forensic experts have blamed for the fatal heart attack.

Jung Chae-min at Songpa district police said, "We focused on whether any mistakes were made during surgery, and whether proper steps were taken to treat Sin" when he returned to the hospital after intestinal surgery complaining about abdominal pains.

Hospital staff had accused Sin of disobeying their advice to fast after being released. Last week, a lawyer for the hospital denied that a doctor's mistake caused the perforation to Sin's pericardial sac and blamed Asan Medical Center.

Sin was rushed to Asan Medical Center after suffering a heart attack at Sky Hospital during additional surgery there.

Under questioning that lasted for several hours, Kang denied surgeons made a mistake. Police will now consult medical experts over his statement.