Defector in Critical Condition

[Anchor Lead]

The North Korea soldier who made a daring defection to South Korea through the JSA is currently being treated at Ajou University Medical Center in Suwon for multiple gunshot wounds. His surgery was performed by Dr. Lee Gook-jong who famously saved the life of Captain Seok Hae-gyun during the 2011 Gulf of Aden rescue operation. The trauma surgeon said that although the soldier is in critical condition, he would do his best to save the North Korean's life.

[Pkg]

The North Korean soldier who received gunshot wounds while defecting was transported by a military helicopter to the Ajou University Medical Center in Suwon. He reached the hospital at around 4:50PM Monday. The North Korean defector went into surgery half an hour later at 5:20PM for five hours. The doctor who performed the surgery was Dr. Lee Guk-jong, who saved the life of Captain Seok Hae-gyun during the Gulf of Aden rescue operation in 2011. Dr. Lee told the press the North Korean soldier is in critical condition.

[Soundbite] Dr. Lee Guk-jong(Trauma Center, Ajou Univ. Medical Center) : "It's very bad. He's being kept alive on a ventilator, life support system, and the operated part is open. It's not over yet."

The defector was shot in five places - he took one bullet to each shoulder, two to the abdomen, and one to the thigh. It is reported that his internal organs are seriously damaged from being shot in the abdomen.

[Soundbite] Dr. Lee Guk-jong(Trauma Center, Ajou Univ. Medical Center) : "His internal organs have been severely ruptured in seven places."

Dr. Lee said that additional surgery is needed today or tomorrow. The doctor added that the next ten days are critical and that he would try his best to save the North Korean soldier's life since he had tried to come to South Korea.