Privacy Controversy Involving Fellow Researcher at Asan Medical Center
City to Accept Resignation... Jung Steps Down After Four Months
Jung Heewon, Seoul City Health Director General, has expressed his intention to resign to the Seoul Metropolitan Government amid a recent privacy controversy. The city plans to accept his resignation soon.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on December 22, Jung, an expert in "slow aging," submitted his resignation to the city the previous day.
Jung Heewon, Seoul City Health Director General, who recently expressed his intention to resign to the Seoul Metropolitan Government amid a privacy controversy. Photo by Yonhap News
The Health Director General is a position first introduced by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to respond to demographic changes and implement health-centered governance. Jung was appointed to the role in August and has been serving since then. He is known for popularizing the concept of "slow aging" while working as a professor of geriatric medicine at Asan Medical Center in Seoul. At the time of his appointment, the city explained that Jung would be responsible for systematically incorporating health concepts into overall city policies.
Jung's decision to resign appears to be due to the recent privacy controversy. He became the center of public attention after a series of lawsuits and counter-lawsuits involving Researcher A, who is affiliated with Asan Medical Center in Seoul. Jung filed a police complaint against A for violating the Stalking Punishment Act and attempted extortion, while A filed a counter-complaint against Jung for alleged sexual assault by abuse of power.
Jung’s side claims that A threatened his family by appearing near their workplace and left letters in front of their residence. They also stated that A demanded money in the form of royalties related to Jung’s book, "The Slow Aging Mindset."
On the other hand, A’s side alleges that there was sexual misconduct involving an abuse of power. As private conversations between the two were made public, the controversy has grown. The police plan to investigate the specific facts from both sides.
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