"Is This Woman Sane?" Medical Association President Reveals Name and Face of Judge Who Convicted Doctor

Anger Erupts After Doctor Convicted of Negligent Injury in the Line of Duty

Im Hyeon-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association, publicly revealed the name and photo of the judge who found a doctor guilty of professional negligence causing injury and criticized, "Is this woman sane?"

Im Hyun-taek, President of the Korean Medical Association, Urges Medical Normalization in Speech
[Photo by Yonhap News]

His anger stems from the recent confirmation by the second trial court of the original sentence of 10 months imprisonment with a 2-year probation for a doctor in his 60s who was tried on charges of professional negligence causing injury. The doctor was indicted for administering 2ml of Mekperan injection to an octogenarian patient while working at a clinic in Geoje-si, Gyeongnam, in January 2021, resulting in injuries including general weakness, speech impairment, and worsening Parkinson's symptoms due to side effects.

The second trial court stated, "Administering Mekperan injection without properly verifying the patient's medical history constitutes professional negligence by the defendant, and the resulting injuries are also recognized," adding, "There is no error in the original judgment, and the appeals by both the defendant and the prosecution on grounds of unfair sentencing are dismissed."

In response, on the 8th, President Im posted on Facebook, "A doctor treating a patient gets 10 months imprisonment with 2 years probation because the outcome was bad? Changwon District Court judge (real name), is this woman sane?" He later posted again, revealing a photo of Judge Yoon from a past media interview, writing, "When this woman and her family visit hospitals or clinics, regardless of the type of illness, I hope they receive treatment not based on the doctor's conscience but strictly according to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service's review regulations."

Comments on President Im's post included remarks such as "Women should not be allowed to work in society," "I doubt if she properly studied the law," "Judicial reform and introduction of AI judges are urgently needed," and "If a judge makes a wrong ruling, they should lose an arm, and if a lawyer fails to defend properly, they should go to jail."

President Im is under investigation for allegedly conspiring in the collective resignation of residents. Since being booked in February, he has undergone two summons investigations, with additional summons planned.