Police officer Park Ah-ron at Namdaemun Police Station / Courtesy of Park Ah-ron

A 64-year-old Swedish national passed away last month despite tireless efforts by Korean authorities and organizations to provide medical assistance, highlighting gaps in welfare support for foreign nationals in Korea.

On Dec. 9, the Swedish Embassy in Korea called 112, requesting protection for the Swedish national, who was suffering from mental health issues. Police officers from the Seoul Station branch under Namdaemun Police Station found the Swedish national's circumstances dire.

Having arrived in Korea in April last year on visa-free entry, the 64-year-old had been indicted for drug possession and placed under a travel ban. While acquitted in the first trial due to mental illness and lack of intent, his case was under appeal.

More urgently, the Swedish national was suffering from severe gangrene in his left leg, which required immediate amputation to save his life. Without surgery, his condition was life-threatening. However, finding a hospital willing to perform the surgery proved to be an uphill battle.

A race against time

Sgt. Park Ah-ron, Korea's only police officer dedicated to assisting the unhoused, took charge of the case. Park contacted 21 hospitals in the Seoul metropolitan area but was met with refusals. Hospitals cited the 64-year-old's foreign nationality and the high cost of surgery as reasons for rejection.

Efforts to reach his sister in Sweden were also unsuccessful, as she declined to cover the medical expenses.

Finally, with the help of the Seoul Homeless Support Center, Park identified a hospital in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province — Hyeogsin Seongmo Hospital — that agreed to perform the surgery after consultations with its director.

Using a translator to communicate with the Swedish national, Park obtained his consent for the surgery. On Dec. 16, the 64-year-old underwent a successful amputation. Despite the successful procedure, he passed away on Dec. 20 due to sepsis stemming from pneumonia. Hospital staff explained that his severely weakened immune system had contributed to his death.

Before his passing, the Swedish national, who had diabetes, requested and enjoyed a piece of chocolate as a small comfort in his final moments.

Exposing systemic gaps

Park expressed frustration over the lack of welfare support for foreign nationals in Korea. “I reached out to the local government for support with surgery costs, but foreign nationals are not eligible for medical aid as vagrants,” he said.

The total cost of his surgery was approximately 15 million won ($10,500), with 8 million won covered by the Swedish Embassy and the remaining amount from the hospital's foundation. Park extended his gratitude to the hospital and foundation for not turning away a vulnerable individual in need.

This incident underscored the limitations of Korea's welfare system for foreigners. Lawyer Cho Jin-seok of Okims Law Firm said, “The government needs to establish a system where it covers the costs upfront and later claims reimbursement from the individual or their home country.”

Park, who has assisted many homeless individuals at Seoul Station over the past five years, reflected on the tragedy. In a similar case in October, a 70-year-old Korean homeless man with gangrene in his leg was able to receive skin graft surgery and recover fully thanks to timely support. “Watching him pass away due to a lack of systemic support has left me deeply troubled,” Park said.

The 64-year-old's ashes are set to be returned to Sweden in the coming days.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.