[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Regarding the controversy over the delay in the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) dispatch due to the boarding of Dr. Shin Hyun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 'Doctor Car' during the Itaewon disaster, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will conduct an investigation targeting Myongji Hospital and the Central Emergency Medical Center of the National Medical Center.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 2nd that it will conduct a work inspection by deploying disaster emergency medical personnel to these institutions.
The Ministry plans to investigate whether there were any violations of emergency medical-related laws and the disaster emergency medical emergency response manual concerning the delay in the dispatch of Myongji Hospital's DMAT during the Itaewon disaster, as well as the leak of the disaster medical emergency direct hotline.
The Ministry explained, "If any illegal matters are confirmed as a result of the investigation, measures such as cancellation of designation, corrective orders, regulation changes, and disposition orders may be taken."
Assemblywoman Shin is suspected of having boarded the emergency dispatch vehicle of Myongji Hospital's DMAT, where she worked, midway on October 29 last year, the day of the Itaewon disaster, causing a delay in the vehicle's arrival at the scene. There are also allegations that she contacted through the disaster hotline during this process.
Assemblywoman Shin explained that she went to perform ambulance activities, but left the scene 15 minutes after arrival by riding in the official car of Minister Cho Kyu-hong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The controversy grew as she left several photos during her stay at the scene.
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