Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Conduct 'Focused Investigation' on Illegal Medical Advertising Practices

Gyeonggi Province will conduct a focused investigation into illegal medical advertisements by medical institutions within the province from the 7th to the 18th.

This decision comes from the judgment that, as competition among medical institutions to attract patients has intensified recently, online medical advertisements on blogs, websites, YouTube, and other platforms have become a blind spot for management.

The main investigation items include ▲ acts of introduction, mediation, or inducement ▲ false or exaggerated advertisements ▲ advertisements claiming qualifications or titles without legal grounds, among others.

Poster Announcing Intensive Investigation of Illegal Medical Advertising Activities in Gyeonggi-do

Under the current Medical Service Act, anyone who introduces, mediates, or induces patients to medical institutions or medical personnel for profit by exempting or discounting out-of-pocket expenses, providing money or goods, or offering transportation convenience to unspecified many people, or who instigates such acts, shall be punished by imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

Additionally, those who engage in illegal medical advertisements such as false, comparative, defamatory, or exaggerated advertisements; advertisements claiming qualifications or titles without legal grounds; advertisements using various awards or certificates of appreciation; or advertisements stating that they have received certification, guarantee, or recommendation, or expressing similar content, shall be punished by imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.

Ki Do, Chief of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit, stated, "We are conducting this investigation to crack down on illegal online medical advertisements, which are a blind spot in management, so that consumers can make informed choices and, furthermore, to guarantee the health rights of the residents." He added, "We will preemptively block illegal medical advertisements to ensure that safe and healthy medical services are provided to the residents."