Medical Association Executive Indictment Case, Seoul Police Directly Investigate... "Legal Review Stage"

Public Crime Investigation Unit Public Investigation Division 1 Assignment

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will directly investigate the case in which the government filed complaints against five individuals, including former and current presidents of the Korea Medical Association (KMA), related to the mass hospital departure of medical residents (interns and residents).

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. [Photo by Asia Economy DB]

According to the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the 28th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare filed a complaint against five KMA officials for violating the order to commence work and for instigating and aiding obstruction of business. The case was assigned to the Public Investigation Division 1. The accused include Kim Taek-woo, Chairman of the KMA Emergency Response Committee, Joo Soo-ho, Chairman of the Media and Public Relations Committee, Park Myung-ha, Chairman of the Organizational Strengthening Committee, former KMA President Roh Hwan-gyu, and Lim Hyun-taek, President of the Korean Pediatric Society.

Earlier, on the afternoon of the previous day, the Ministry of Health and Welfare filed complaints with the police against five members of the KMA Emergency Response Committee and unidentified individuals. The police immediately delegated the case to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. This is the first time the government has taken legal action by filing complaints with the police regarding the mass resignation of medical residents.

With Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun announcing a strict response, a swift investigation is expected. At a regular press briefing on the 19th of last month, Commissioner Yoon stated, “Considering the special nature of this matter, we plan to send summons notices via text message or registered mail to the parties involved on the very day the complaint is received,” and emphasized, “If a party indicates an intention not to appear, we will respond strictly by applying for an arrest warrant in consultation with the prosecution.”

However, it has been confirmed that summons notices have not yet been sent to the five individuals accused in this case. A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official explained, “While the case has been received, it will be handled according to proper procedures after legal review.”