Gyeonggi Province has uncovered seven hospitals and clinics that engaged in exaggerated advertising.
The Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police Unit announced on May 15 that it conducted an intensive investigation into 105 medical institutions over a two-week period from April 7 to April 18, aiming to eradicate illegal medical advertising. As a result, a total of seven institutions were found to have committed 13 violations.
In the main cases of violation, Clinic A was found to have posted exaggerated advertisements on its website, describing its medical services and staff as "the best" and "the only one." The clinic was also caught using the title "oo specialist" in advertisements without any legal basis.
Hospital B falsely advertised its nursing grade as grade 1 on its website, while it was actually grade 2. The hospital also used the term "specialized hospital" in blog advertisements without legal grounds and ran advertisements that had not been reviewed by the authorities.
Poster of the Investigation Results on Illegal Medical Advertising by the Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police Unit
Clinic C and Clinic D were caught for posting advertisements on their websites that induced consumer trust by using phrases such as "winner of oo award" and "oo certified hospital."
Under the current Medical Service Act, advertisements that contain false information, exaggerate objective facts, claim qualifications or titles without legal basis, have not been reviewed or differ from the content that was reviewed, use various certificates of commendation or appreciation, or claim to have received certification, guarantee, or recommendation?or express similar content?are subject to imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.
Kim Ido, head of the Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police Unit, stated, "This investigation has raised awareness about illegal medical advertising and served as an opportunity to encourage medical institutions to voluntarily undergo advertising review." He added, "We will continue and strengthen investigations into illegal medical advertising to protect residents' right to health and to foster a proper medical advertising environment."
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