(LEAD) Deceased singer's wife files complaint against hospital for negligence

(ATTN: UPDATES with planned autopsy by state forensic experts)

SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Yonhap) -- The wife of deceased singer Shin Hae-chul reported a Seoul hospital that performed surgery on the singer to the police Friday, accusing it of causing his death through negligence.

The 37-year-old widow, only identified by her surname Yoo, submitted the complaint with Songpa Police Station, claiming medical negligence was to blame for her husband's death after he received an operation for intestinal adhesions. The hospital has strongly denied the allegation.

"Please investigate into the possibility of the hospital's negligence during the time between the surgery and his death," the complaint read.

Police said they plan to ask state forensic experts to conduct an autopsy on Shin's body to determine the exact cause of his death. They also plan to question hospital officials.

Shin was pronounced dead on Monday, five days after falling into a coma following a massive heart attack. Shin received the operation at the hospital on Oct. 17 and was transferred to another general hospital five days later after the heart attack.

His funeral was held earlier on Friday, and was attended by a number of pop stars, including Seo Tai-ji and Psy.

Shin debuted in 1988 by winning the grand prize at a college music contest with the rock song, "To You." The song, written and composed by Shin, was an instant success, coming to be often used at college festivals.

The versatile musician released more than 30 studio albums and experimented with various genres ranging from modern rock to jazz and techno.

The singer had been actively campaigning on a wide range of social issues, including the legalization of marijuana and the scrapping of the adultery law, and supported late liberal President Roh Moo-hyun during his 2002 election campaign.

khj@yna.co.kr
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