Controversy Over 'Doctor Car Boarding' Shin Hyun-young Lawmaker, Reported to Police Again

Lee Jong-bae, a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council from the People Power Party, is holding a press conference to accuse Shin Hyun-young, a member of the Democratic Party, in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 21st.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Shin Hyun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, has been reported to the police again on suspicion of causing a delay in arrival at the Itaewon disaster site by boarding the 'Doctor Car' dispatched to the scene.

On the 21st, Lee Jong-bae, a Seoul city council member from the People Power Party, held a press conference in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Naejadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and submitted a complaint accusing Shin of obstruction of business by force, stating, "Taking photos at the site where many people died and were injured was a horrific and unfilial act." He argued, "We must correct this atrocity of using an ambulance, which should be saving lives, for self-promotion, thoroughly investigate the facts to prevent recurrence, and severely punish Shin."

Shin, who is a doctor by profession, is suspected of boarding the emergency dispatch vehicle of the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) from Myongji Hospital, where she worked, midway during the Itaewon disaster on October 29, causing a delay in the vehicle's arrival at the scene. Although Shin explained that she went to perform emergency medical activities, she left the site after 15 minutes by riding in the official car of Cho Kyu-hong, the Minister of Health and Welfare. The controversy intensified as she took several photos during the 15 minutes she stayed at the scene.

The day before, Shin was also reported by a civic group. The Committee for the Protection of the Livelihood of Ordinary People (Seominwi) filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency accusing Shin of abuse of authority, obstruction of official duties, coercion, and violation of the Emergency Medical Service Act. Seominwi claimed at the time, "There is reasonable suspicion that she used the Myongji Hospital DMAT Doctor Car to easily access the accident site control area as a means of her legislative activities."

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