Police Investigate Samsung Seoul Hospital Director for Hiring Nurses to Substitute Doctors' Duties

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] The head of a major hospital in Seoul is under police investigation for hiring nurses to perform the role of doctors.

The Seoul Suseo Police Station announced that it is investigating Park Seungwoo, the director of Samsung Seoul Hospital, on charges of violating the Medical Service Act.

Director Park is accused of hiring PA nurses, meaning physician assistants, through a public announcement. These nurses are personnel operated to address the shortage of attending physicians. Unlike the United States, where a license is granted as a 'quasi-doctor,' there is no legal basis for this in Korea.

In response, the Korean Pediatric Society reportedly filed a complaint, stating that the duties specified in Samsung Seoul Hospital's PA nurse recruitment announcement exceed the scope of nursing licenses and constitute illegal activities.

Samsung Seoul Hospital stated, "We used the industry-standard term PA nurse simply to accurately inform about the recruitment work," and added, "There was no instruction to perform duties beyond the scope of the license."

A police official said, "We have received the case and are accurately investigating the details of the incident."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.