Jeon Hyunmoo’s Agency: “Receiving an IV Drip in a Car Was a Legitimate Medical Procedure”… Medical Community Says No!

Korean Medical Association: “Medical Procedures in Vehicles May Be Illegal”

The agency representing broadcaster Hyunmoo Jeon explained that the scene of him receiving an intravenous drip inside a vehicle constituted a "legitimate medical procedure." However, the medical community pointed out that performing medical procedures outside of a medical institution may constitute a violation of the Medical Service Act.

Broadcaster Jun Hyun-moo receiving an intravenous drip inside a vehicle. MBC variety show 'I Live Alone'

Kim Sunggeun, spokesperson for the Korean Medical Association, stated via Channel A on the 24th, "Even if a doctor prescribed the injection and conducted the medical examination within the hospital, it is fundamentally not permissible to administer the injection in a private vehicle afterward."

Jeon Hyunmoo’s Agency: “Medical Procedure Was Lawful Under Medical Staff’s Judgment”

Previously, broadcaster Park Narae was embroiled in allegations of receiving illegal medical procedures from a so-called "injection aunt." The controversy centered on receiving intravenous drips and other medical procedures from a non-medical professional, known as the "injection aunt," outside of a medical institution.

Subsequently, SHINee member Key and mukbang creator Eatzalbbunhaetnim admitted to having received illegal medical procedures from the same person and announced a suspension of their activities. The controversy reignited when a photo of Hyunmoo Jeon receiving an IV drip inside a car, aired on MBC's "I Live Alone" in January 2016, resurfaced.

In response, Hyunmoo Jeon's agency asserted that the procedure was lawful. According to the 2016 medical records released by his agency SM C&C on the 19th, Hyunmoo Jeon received medical treatment at a hospital on three occasions: January 14, 20, and 26 of that year. Diagnoses listed in the records included bronchitis, chronic laryngitis, acute tonsillitis, and gastritis.

The agency emphasized, "The treatment was centered on antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and gastrointestinal medication for diagnoses such as pharyngitis, laryngitis, and gastroesophageal reflux. The intravenous drip was a supplementary medical procedure. At the time, all medical treatments were an extension of legitimate medical care performed at a medical institution under the judgment of medical staff."

Difficult to Punish Due to Expired Statute of Limitations, Even If There Was a Legal Violation

Some experts noted that even if there was a potential legal violation, it would be difficult to prosecute Hyunmoo Jeon. This is because, in general, unless the recipient knowingly paid for an illegal medical procedure and thus instigated a violation of the Medical Service Act, they are not subject to punishment. Furthermore, since the statute of limitations for violations of the Medical Service Act is seven years under the Criminal Procedure Act, it is not possible to prosecute based solely on the 2016 broadcast case.