Doctor in His 50s Dies After Running Snack Shop Following License Revocation... Medical Association Says "License Revocation Law Drove Him to the Brink"

"Revocation of Medical Licenses for Lifestyle Crimes...
License Revocation Law Must Be Amended"

Following the death of a doctor in his 50s who had been struggling after his medical license was revoked, the South Jeolla Medical Association has called for a complete overhaul of the medical license revocation law.

A major hospital in Seoul. Photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

According to the South Jeolla Medical Association and the police on January 20, Dr. A, a doctor in his 50s who had been running a private clinic in Gyeonggi Province, was recently found dead near Cheonggye-myeon, Muan County, South Jeolla Province. It is reported that he had been facing difficulties after his medical license was revoked.

In this regard, the South Jeolla Medical Association issued a statement saying, "The deceased was caught in the trap of the law for 'violating the prohibition on dual establishment of medical institutions' while helping a junior doctor open a clinic," and added, "Even though he had not endangered patients' lives or committed any serious ethical crimes, the law stripped him of his medical license and reclaimed all of his hard-earned revenue from several years."

The statement continued, "During the three-year license revocation period, the deceased made a living by running a small snack shop, but even after completing all administrative penalties and the recovery of revenue, he was still denied reinstatement as a doctor. His applications for license reinstatement were rejected three times in a row. This is a death sentence imposed on a human soul trying to make a comeback."

The association emphasized, "The current license revocation law, which strips licenses for all lifestyle crimes unrelated to medical practice, must be immediately revised," and pointed out, "Even if the intent of the law is to promote ethical awareness among medical professionals, the current approach, which destroys families and drives doctors to death, is not justice but clear violence."

Additionally, the association stated, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare must acknowledge its responsibility for driving the deceased to the brink through regulatory violations and hasty administration, and issue an apology," and urged, "The license reinstatement process should be improved transparently, and at least a minimal opportunity for a fresh start should be guaranteed to those who have paid their dues."

Meanwhile, the police have concluded that there is no evidence of foul play in Dr. A's death and plan to close the investigation soon.

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