The courtroom serves as a gathering place for various stakeholders, including litigants and civil petitioners. This environment can lead to heightened tensions during court proceedings, which sometimes necessitate emergency medical treatment. Over the past three years, there has been a noticeable increase in medical emergencies (such as fainting) occurring within courthouses. The statistics are as follows: 65 cases in 2023, 121 cases in 2024, and 146 cases in 2025. 

To ensure the safety and well-being of the public, the judiciary is establishing first-aid rooms in courthouses and assigning medical staff, such as doctors or nurses, to promptly address significant health emergencies that may arise in courtrooms or integrated civil service centers. 

A recent incident occurred in January 2025, when a respiratory emergency happened in a court user who experienced shortness of breath in front of an investigation room at the Seoul Family Court. A court nurse provided emergency oxygen therapy and transported the patient to the hospital. Similarly, in January 2026, a registered nurse at the Cheongju District Court treated a civil petitioner who was over-breathing and experiencing stiffness, ensuring the airway was secured before sending the patient to the hospital. 

The judiciary is committed to continually working to create a safe court environment where the public can feel secure. This involves securing medical personnel and expanding medical facilities in the future. 

The National Court Administration is actively promoting the installation of first-aid rooms each year, taking into account factors such as the number of court staff, regional equity, and access to nearby hospitals. We plan to increase the number of medical practitioners working in the judiciary. Despite these initiatives, only 26% of courts nationwide (16 out of 60 district courts and branch courts, including the Supreme Court) currently have trained first-aiders, primarily due to budget constraints and shortages in medical staff.