Medical Association Leadership Under Police Investigation Again... "Residents' Just Voluntary Resignation"

Park Myungha, Chairman of the Organization Strengthening Committee of the Korean Medical Association (KMA) Emergency Response Committee, who was accused of instigating the collective resignation of residents, reappeared for police questioning two days after his initial summons.

Park Myung-ha, Chairperson of the Organizational Strengthening Committee of the Emergency Response Committee of the Korean Medical Association, is stating his position as he appears at the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 14th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

At 9:41 a.m. on the 14th, Park appeared at the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and denied the charges, stating, "The residents' resistance movement is an individual, voluntary, and just resignation."

He added, "What is concerning is that even if this situation ends quickly, the residents think there is no future for so-called 'essential medical fields' that are undesirable," and "I hope the government sincerely comes to the negotiation table quickly."

Regarding the posting of guidelines on the medical community Medistaff instructing public relations officers or military doctors on how to refuse work, he claimed, "These are not students or residents acting under any orders, nor is the executive committee preparing and spreading such instructions."

Park had previously appeared for police questioning on the 12th and underwent an intensive investigation lasting over 11 hours.

This summons follows the Ministry of Health and Welfare's complaint filed with the National Police Agency on the 27th of last month, accusing five current and former KMA executives of violating the Medical Service Act, obstructing business under criminal law, instigation, and aiding and abetting. Kim Taekwoo, Chairman of the KMA Emergency Response Committee, who was questioned by the police on the 12th, is also scheduled for additional questioning on the 15th.