"Narae Park's 'Drunken Auntie' Should Be Banned from Leaving the Country"... Ministry of Justice: "Proceeding According to Principles and Procedures"

"When a Related Agency Requests, Authorities Check for Compliance with Article 4 of the Immigration Control Act"

Former President of the Korean Medical Association Lim Hyuntaek has emphasized that Ms. A, known as broadcaster Narae Park’s (40) so-called ‘Drunken Auntie,’ should be banned from leaving the country, after filing a criminal complaint with the prosecution against Park and Ms. A for alleged violations of the Medical Service Act and the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act.

Broadcaster Narae Park (left) and Ms. A, known as the so-called 'Drunken Auntie'. Enpark · Ms. A Instagram

On December 13, Lim posted on Facebook, “This is the Ministry of Justice’s response to my petition requesting an emergency travel ban on the ‘Drunken Auntie’ and the so-called ‘doctor claimant’ involved in the Narae Park case,” and shared related details.

Previously, Lim had submitted a petition through the national civil complaint portal requesting an emergency travel ban on Ms. A. The Ministry of Justice explained that a travel ban on a specific individual can be requested by the head of a central administrative agency or a person qualified as the head of a related agency designated by the Minister of Justice. The Ministry further stated that when a related agency requests a travel ban on someone currently under criminal trial or investigation, the authorities confirm whether the individual falls under Article 4 of the Immigration Control Act and decide on the travel ban according to the principles and procedures stipulated by law.

On December 8, Lim also urged, “The prosecution must suspend Ms. A’s passport and ban her from leaving the country, as she is suspected of violating the Act on Special Measures for the Control of Public Health Crimes, the Medical Service Act, the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, and committing fraud under the Criminal Act.” On December 11, he filed complaints with the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office, accusing Park of violating the Medical Service Act, the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, and the Act on Special Measures for the Control of Public Health Crimes, and Ms. A of unlicensed medical practice as well as violations of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and the Act on Special Measures for the Control of Public Health Crimes. The Korean Medical Association also announced that it had sent an official letter to the government urging strong sanctions and preventive measures regarding the ‘Drunken Auntie’ case.

Previously, media reports alleged that Park had received intravenous injections from Ms. A not at a medical institution, but in locations such as an officetel and a vehicle, sparking controversy over illegal medical practice and proxy prescriptions. Ms. A later claimed that she had served as the youngest professor, both among locals and foreigners, at Inner Mongolia Fuxiang Medical University Hospital in China, and that she had brought a Korean plastic surgery center to Inner Mongolia and served as its director. Even if Ms. A’s claims are true, performing medical procedures in Korea without a domestic medical license is illegal. Providing unlicensed medical services can result in up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won under the Medical Service Act.

Even if Ms. A possesses a domestic medical license, performing procedures in non-medical settings such as home visits is likely illegal. The Medical Service Act stipulates that medical professionals may only provide care outside medical institutions in exceptional circumstances, such as emergency treatment or home nursing. If treatment is provided outside a legitimate medical institution or if medical records are not properly maintained, a fine of up to 5 million won may be imposed.

If Park knowingly and repeatedly requested procedures from Ms. A despite being aware of her lack of a medical license, Park could be recognized as an accomplice. Park’s side has previously explained in response to the allegations, “The injections were administered by a licensed doctor.” The Ministry of Health and Welfare has stated that establishing the facts through investigations by the prosecution and police should take priority.