Seoul Police Chief Jo Ji-ho: "Four Medical Association Officials Barred from Leaving the Country... Firm Action Against Illegal Activities"

Jo Ji-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated on the 3rd that he would strictly respond to any illegal activities discovered during the large-scale rally held by the Korea Medical Association (KMA) opposing the increase in medical school quotas. Some KMA officials under police investigation have been confirmed to be subject to travel bans.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Jo Ji-ho is announcing the police response policy related to the doctors' rally near Yeouido Park in Seoul on the 3rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Commissioner Jo met with reporters near Yeouido Park in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and said, "While the right to assemble is guaranteed, illegal acts will be dealt with firmly," adding, "We will hold legally accountable those involved in coercing participation in the rally, as reported by some media outlets."

The KMA Emergency Response Committee is holding a nationwide doctors' general rally opposing the increase in medical school quotas starting at 2 p.m. The KMA expects about 20,000 people to attend the rally.

Additionally, Commissioner Jo explained, "On the 1st, we conducted searches and seizures at the KMA office and the residences of related individuals and requested their appearance," adding, "We requested travel bans for four individuals." He further stated, "We will mobilize all available investigative resources to conduct a swift and thorough investigation."

The police previously conducted searches and seizures targeting Kim Taek-woo, Chairman of the KMA Emergency Committee; Joo Soo-ho, Chairman of the Media and Public Relations Committee; Park Myung-ha, Chairman of the Organizational Strengthening Committee; Lim Hyun-taek, President of the Korean Pediatric Society; and Noh Hwan-gyu, former KMA President.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has filed complaints with the police against these five individuals for violating work commencement orders and charges of obstruction and aiding obstruction of business.