Police Investigate Park Jae-il, Representative Resident Doctor at Seoul National University Hospital, as Witness
Professor groups and medical student organizations raised voices of criticism regarding the police's witness investigation of resident doctors who resigned.
The Seoul National University College of Medicine-Seoul National University Hospital Professors' Emergency Committee stated in a press release on the 5th, "The wave of resignations among resident doctors did not start at someone's instigation," adding, "Their resignations are clear evidence proving how distorted the current medical system is and how wrong the government's policies are."
They continued, "The current investigation infringes upon the fundamental right of resident doctors, who are citizens, to choose their profession," and added, "Professors will closely monitor the actions of investigative agencies, and if unjust oppression against resident doctors continues, we will not stand idly by."
Earlier, Park Jae-il, the representative of resident doctors at Seoul National University Hospital, appeared before the police as a witness regarding allegations that former and current executives of the Korean Medical Association (KMA) instigated the collective resignation of resident doctors. Park Dan, chairman of the Korean Intern Resident Association Emergency Committee, was also investigated as a witness by the police on the 21st of last month.
Medical student organizations also voiced criticism. The Emergency Response Committee of the Catholic University, Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University, and Ulsan University Colleges of Medicine issued a statement expressing "deep regret over the coercive behavior of the government and investigative agencies."
They further stated, "Do not ignore the fact that those who have supported Korean healthcare on the front lines express more concern than anyone else about the reality of medical reform," and condemned, "The government, which has reached the peak of non-communication and intimidation through this police summons, has no right to tell students to return."
According to the Korean Intern Resident Association, following Park's appearance, Kim Eun-sik, representative of resident doctors at Severance Hospital, and Han Sung-jon, representative at Asan Medical Center, are scheduled to be investigated by the police at 10 a.m. on the 9th; Kim Yoo-young, representative at Samsung Seoul Hospital, on the 11th; and Kim Tae-geun, representative at the Catholic Central Medical Center, on the 13th.
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