[Asia Exclusive] Poet Debuted Immediately After Medical School Graduation, Social Activist Leading Anti-Smoking Campaigns

Seo Hong-gwan, director of the National Cancer Center, is being interviewed on the 23rd at the National Cancer Center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Seo Hong-gwan, director of the National Cancer Center, is well known as a 'poet doctor.' Right after graduating from Seoul National University College of Medicine in 1985, he debuted as a poet by publishing works such as "Declaration of Abstinence" in the '16 New Poets' collection by Changjakgwa Bipyeong. Director Seo recalled, "A poet named Shin Kyung-rim, who came to a literary department event, evaluated my scribbles in my diary as being on par with established poets," adding, "When I visited his home to inform him of my graduation, he said, 'Now you are debuting, right?' and that became the turning point for my debut."

He has since published four poetry collections. In 2020, he released a new collection that included stories of the Sewol ferry disaster youth and experiences from his clinic. Director Seo said, "I usually only jot down notes rather than write poems," and added, "With fewer patients during the early COVID-19 period, I organized the notes I had written over time, which led to the publication."

Since becoming director, he has experienced a completely different life. He said, "I have no private life anymore." His smartphone calendar was filled with tightly packed schedules. He also expressed regret that, due to COVID-19, he has been unable to fully carry out projects he wanted to as the director of the National Cancer Center. He lamented, "Since conferences are held online, everyone’s concentration drops and they often do other things," adding, "Education and discussions have weakened, which is frustrating as a director."

Another term often used to describe Director Seo is 'social activist.' In 2004, he formed the 'Physicians' Coalition Against Overdiagnosis of Thyroid Cancer,' leading efforts to raise awareness about the unnecessary nature of thyroid cancer screenings. From 2010 until becoming the cancer center director, he served as chairman of the Korea Anti-Smoking Movement Council, emphasizing the importance of smoking cessation. In 2014, he achieved the successful increase of cigarette prices by 2,000 won. Throughout the interview, he stressed that smoking accounts for one-third of cancer causes and that quitting smoking is essential and a prerequisite for cancer prevention.

Director Seo did not hold back criticism regarding the expansion of public healthcare. He stated, "Public medical institutions cannot emphasize only the sense of mission to young medical professionals," emphasizing, "They must be well compensated, provided with good research environments, and treated well." He also said, "The National Cancer Center is improving the stereotype that public hospitals lag behind in doctors and equipment and is becoming a trusted institution," adding, "The government should not hesitate to provide financial support to improve this image.".