Former County Governor Oh Gyuseok in White Gown After Removing Blue Work Clothes, "Oriental Clinic Also Open 365 Days, 'GoGoSing' Until General Election"

After completing his third term, Korean medicine doctor Oh Gyuseok opened a Korean medicine clinic on the 1st and is treating his first patient.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] “Ah, you’re the first customer! Let’s start with pulse diagnosis.” (Oriental medicine doctor)

“You’ve worked hard all this time. Aren’t you going to take a break?” (Patient in their 80s)

On the morning of the 1st, Oh Gyu-seok, who had been guarding the night military office in Gijang-gun, Busan until late the previous night, returned to his original profession as an Oriental medicine doctor.

His blue work uniform, in which he always carried three differently colored pens in his chest pocket, had changed to a white coat, creating an unfamiliar moment.

Having served as the elected first county governor for three years and three consecutive terms totaling 12 years, 15 years in all, he opened an Oriental medicine clinic immediately after finishing his term and began seeing patients from the first day of July.

Every incoming “customer” was greeted with “Aren’t you going to take a break?”?a different atmosphere from other newly opened Oriental medicine clinics. This doctor also responded with “Your grandchildren have grown a lot,” before starting the consultation. It seemed he knew all his patients well. Oh, who had walked every corner of Gijang-gun for 15 years, also relied on his memory.

Although it wasn’t an “open run” waiting for a popular new product, from morning the clinic was busy with patients seeking treatment and employees delivering congratulatory flower wreaths.

Congratulatory flower wreaths were refused at the door, leading to ongoing disputes. The congratulatory orchids sent from Muju, Jeollabuk-do were no exception.

“The payment is all settled. We have to make a living too,” they pleaded, but Oh Gyu-seok’s principle was firm. Having never accepted anything and never used county governor’s business expenses because they were funded by citizens’ taxes, the staff naturally handled the refusals.

Although consultations officially began at 9 a.m., about 20 patients were already waiting 20 minutes earlier.

Oh’s wife was also helping, handing out “clumsy” numbered tickets written on Post-it notes.

The approximately 40-pyeong (about 132 square meters) Oh Gyu-seok Oriental Medicine Clinic, including the consultation room, acupuncture room, and herbal medicine preparation room, has a sign stating it operates 365 days a year without holidays. This resembles the “365 days” during which he served as county governor without a single day off until yesterday.

Even though he changes jobs, the workaholic nature cannot be changed, and Gijang-gun has embraced him all this time. Oh declared earlier this year that he will run in the general election two years from now.

In busy times when he has to meet people, build “influence” networks, and explore political parties, Oh Gyu-seok’s boldness stands out. He said he will not miss a single day of day and night and holiday consultations until the start of the next general election campaign.