A YouTube video that sparked controversy by detailing the abortion of a 36-week-old fetus has been confirmed as true, not fabricated.

On August 12, a representative from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced during a rpress briefing that both the YouTuber who posted the video and the head of the hospital where the procedure took place have been identified and booked as suspects.

Previously, the police attempted to obtain information from YouTube's parent company, Google, by issuing a search and seizure warrant, but their request was denied. In response, they conducted a detailed analysis of the YouTube and Shorts videos and, with the cooperation of relevant agencies, were able to identify both the YouTuber and the hospital involved. Search and seizure operations were conducted at the end of last month and earlier this month.

The YouTuber, a woman in her 20s residing in a provincial area, has already been questioned by the police twice and has admitted to the abortion. The hospital where the procedure took place is located in the Seoul metropolitan area.

"We are currently analyzing the seized materials and have found no evidence of fabrication in the YouTube video," the police representative stated. "We plan to conduct a thorough investigation of everyone involved in the procedure."

Although South Korea does not have specific legal provisions for punishing abortion, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has requested an investigation into possible murder charges. As a result, the police are currently pursuing murder charges against the two suspects.

The police are also conducting a professional medical examination to determine the gestational age of the fetus and whether the case should be classified as an abortion, murder, or stillbirth. The investigation may expand to include additional suspects beyond the YouTuber and the hospital director.

The YouTuber reportedly stated that she found the hospital through an acquaintance, and the police plan to investigate this acquaintance as well.

Regarding the fetus’s survival, the police confirmed through the hospital search that the fetus was no longer alive.

The police are also investigating potential violations of the Medical Services Act, as the hospital did not have CCTV installed in its operating room. According to the police representative, "Since June of last year, an amendment to the Medical Services Act requires hospitals performing surgeries under general anesthesia, where the patient is unconscious, to have CCTV installed in the operating room. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to 5 million KRW (~3,649.18 USD). However, even with CCTV, recording is only allowed if requested by the patient or guardian."

Additionally, the police are examining the legality and necessity of investigating the online sale of the abortion pill Mifegyne. The police representative noted, "We need to verify the facts related to these sales sites. We will determine the applicable laws and consider whether to proceed with a preliminary investigation."

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