Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health to Hold Seminar on "Recent Case Law Studies in the Health Sector" on January 26

Sitting Judges, Prosecutors, and Professors Join to Discuss Legal Interpretation and Application

The Graduate School of Public Health at Seoul National University will hold a seminar titled "Recent Case Law Studies in the Health Sector: Perspectives from Law and Public Health" at 10:00 a.m. on January 26 in Auditorium 113, Building 221 of the Graduate School of Public Health at Seoul National University.

This seminar is hosted by the "BK21 Four-Stage Educational Research Group for Integrated Response to Health Disasters" and has been organized to facilitate in-depth discussions on the public health capacity and resilience of our society from both legal and academic perspectives.

Resilience in response to health disasters is not only important during public health crises but is also based on the fundamental capacities our society maintains in ordinary times. The interpretation and application of laws in the health sector are also becoming crucial components in building public health capacity.

The seminar will be moderated by Professor Park Sungmin of the Graduate School of Public Health at Seoul National University. It will begin with opening remarks from Research Group Director Kim Hohoe and a congratulatory address by Byeon Jinhwan, Head of the Food and Drug Crime Investigation Division at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office.

During the first session, legal experts will introduce the content and significance of recent noteworthy court cases related to public health. Park Jaehong, an official (and attorney) at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, will discuss major rulings concerning self-diagnosis. Ahn Hwayoun, a prosecutor at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office, will present on the criteria for determining the illegality of medical institutions established and operated under the name of a medical corporation by non-medical professionals. Seong Hakyeong, Research Judge at the Supreme Court, will review the latest case law addressing the standing of plaintiffs in disputes over the establishment of pharmacy outlets.

In the second session, Professor Lee Eunsang of the Seoul National University School of Law will serve as chair, and Professors Hwang Seungsik, Jeong Wankyo, and Kim Seungseop of the Graduate School of Public Health at Seoul National University will participate as discussants. They will discuss the public health implications of the presented case law and engage in a Q&A session.

The research group stated, "We expect this seminar to provide a multidisciplinary forum for considering legal issues in the health sector through the exchange between law and public health."