"Kim Taek-woo, Chairman of the Korean Medical Association Emergency Committee, Appears for 3rd Police Investigation, Hopes for Dialogue to Facilitate Resident Doctors' Return"

Kim Taek-woo, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), who was accused of inciting collective action by resident doctors, appeared at the police station on the 16th for a third investigation.

Kim Taek-woo, Emergency Response Committee Chair of the Korean Medical Association. [Photo by Yonhap News]

The Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency summoned Chairman Kim for a third round of questioning that morning. This came just one day after he was re-summoned and questioned for over 13 hours.

Arriving at the Mapo District office around 9:45 a.m., Chairman Kim stated, "I hope the government adopts a more progressive and flexible stance in policy decisions. If we discuss matters together at the negotiation table, we can resolve the issues."

Chairman Kim reiterated his denial of the charges, saying, "They are investigating whether the Emergency Response Committee conspired, abetted, or instigated the collective resignation of resident doctors, but that is absolutely not the case."

He added, "Currently, the issue seems to have entered a prolonged phase because it is being reduced to numbers rather than focusing on the essence. Our main goal is to open a dialogue so that resident doctors can return to the field and to listen to their voices to guide the situation in a positive direction."

Regarding the movement of medical school professors nationwide planning to submit their resignations starting on the 25th, Chairman Kim commented, "It seems that the professors are expressing such opinions sincerely from their hearts. I believe they fully understand the feelings of the resident doctors who have left the medical field and are expressing themselves accordingly."

Earlier, on the 27th of last month, the Ministry of Health and Welfare filed complaints against Chairman Kim and four others on charges of inciting the collective resignation of resident doctors opposing the government's plan to increase medical school admissions, citing violations of the Medical Service Act, obstruction of business, instigation, and abetment.