"Distortion of Facts Is Regrettable"
"Calculated Move to Win Votes" vs "Better Than Showmanship Politicians"
Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party (left), and Sagong Jeong-gyu, chairman of the People’s Party Daegu City Party and professor at Dongguk University College of Medicine, are returning to the emergency response headquarters building after completing medical volunteer work related to confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) at Keimyung University Daegu Dongsan Hospital in Jung-gu, Daegu on the afternoon of the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] There are criticisms that Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, who has been volunteering for COVID-19 medical treatment in Daegu for three consecutive days, is engaging in a kind of showy act conscious of the upcoming April 15 general election. As the controversy spreads, Ahn’s side expressed regret, stating that he is fighting a desperate battle.
According to the People’s Party on the 2nd, Ahn and his wife began volunteering for medical treatment without any aides on the 1st at Keimyung University Daegu Dongsan Hospital, a regional base hospital for COVID-19 in Jung-gu, Daegu.
In particular, after finishing treatment from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the 1st, Ahn’s appearance leaving the hospital exhausted and drenched in sweat was revealed, leading to voices of support for him.
However, some raised suspicions that Ahn, who had been away from the medical field for a long time, might be practicing medicine without a license. Some netizens also posted on online communities comments such as “According to acquaintances working at Daegu hospitals, Ahn does not even go near patients,” and “It’s just for promotional photos.”
As these malicious rumors spread, Ahn’s side clarified the detailed schedule of his volunteer medical service and his medical license status.
In a press release on the 3rd, Ahn’s side stated, “Some online sites distort facts and attack by saying things like ‘he does not even go near patients.’ On the ground, private volunteers are making desperate efforts to protect the lifeline of the people’s lives and safety. It is regrettable,” they pointed out.
They added, “Around 10 a.m., he arrives at Dongsan Hospital, receives an orientation on patient specifics, then puts on protective gear and goes to the ward where COVID-19 confirmed patients are hospitalized. Public health doctors and volunteer physicians often wear protective gear once a day to visit the ward for treatment, but Ahn and his wife, Professor Kim Mi-kyung, wear protective gear twice a day, performing specimen collection in the morning and medical interviews in the afternoon.”
Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, who is volunteering for medical service in Daegu, is holding a video supreme council meeting at the office of Rep. Lee Tae-gyu in the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 4th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
Regarding Ahn’s medical license, they explained, “People not engaged in medical work do not need to report their license every three years, but that does not mean their registration with the Medical Association is canceled. Unless the medical license is suspended or revoked under the Medical Service Act, the license remains valid.” They added, “Unless there is a suspension or disqualification order, the medical license remains effective, and there is no problem with a licensed physician volunteering for medical service.”
Citizens who heard the news raised their voices criticizing the malicious rumors related to Ahn, saying, “It’s too malicious to slander someone doing a good deed,” and “Isn’t this political manipulation?”
A 29-year-old office worker A said, “I think those who leave malicious comments are too much,” and added, “I don’t understand why people criticize someone who is sweating and volunteering on the front lines.”
Another office worker B, aged 40, said, “Where else is there a politician risking their life volunteering in Daegu?” and pointed out, “Isn’t this a scheme by groups who dislike Ahn being praised?” A then added, “I think he is a hundred times better than politicians who show off showmanship from safe places.”
On the other hand, other opinions have also emerged. A 20-something office worker C said, “Honestly, I think Ahn Cheol-soo also intentionally staged this to gain public support,” and questioned, “How can one prove that he volunteered hard just from a single photo soaked in sweat?” He added, “I think the claims posted on the community could be true.”
Meanwhile, Ahn earned a Ph.D. in medicine from Seoul National University College of Medicine. From 1989 to 1991, he served as a full-time lecturer and head of the pre-medical department at Dankook University College of Medicine. Later, he transformed into a venture entrepreneur and developed the computer antivirus program V3. His wife, Professor Kim Mi-kyung of Seoul National University College of Medicine, is also a medical doctor with a Ph.D. in medicine.
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