The Chairman of the Medical Association's Emergency Committee: "I Never Solicited or Coerced Resignation"... Third Investigation Concluded

Ended 7 Hours After Police Investigation on the 16th

The third police investigation into Kim Taek-woo, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Korea Medical Association (KMA), who was accused of inciting collective action by resident doctors, ended after about seven hours.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit summoned Chairman Kim for the third time on the morning of the 16th and questioned him for about seven hours. This came just one day after he was re-summoned and questioned for over 13 hours the previous day.

The police reportedly inquired about whether the collective resignation of resident doctors was voluntary and whether there was any collusion with the KMA. In response, Chairman Kim denied having conspired or instigated their resignations.

At around 4:47 p.m., Chairman Kim told reporters, “I stated clearly that there was absolutely no conspiracy or instigation for voluntary resignation among the resident doctors.”

He also expressed a desire to engage in discussions with the government. He said, “Please resolve the issue of essential but undesirable specialties and create a forum for discussion. Since the government believes it cannot back down even a step, we cannot turn back either.”

He added, “We also want to return to patients quickly,” emphasizing, “Ultimately, the government is responsible for the lives and health of the people. We ask the government to listen flexibly to our voices in terms of policy.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, when he appeared at the police station at around 9:45 a.m., Chairman Kim said, “I hope the government will decide policies with a more progressive and flexible attitude. If we discuss together in a forum, we can solve the problem.”

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

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 (violations of the Medical Service Act, obstruction of business, instigation, and aiding and abetting).