Doctor Who Posted Patient's Endoscopy Photo in Group Chat Saying "Looks Like an Apple Box"

Investigation Following Member Accusation... Trial Ongoing in First Instance

"This is the place where I work."

(Photo)

A controversy has arisen after an internal medicine doctor posted patients' endoscopy images in a group chat he operates.

Photo posted by Mr. A in the group chat room [Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the police and prosecution on the 20th, Dr. A (52), a physician at a health screening center located in Seoul, worked as an endoscopy specialist at a health screening center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul in April 2021, and from August 2021 to February 2022 at a health screening center in Gangnam-gu.

He took photos of a computer monitor screen containing personal information of 97 patients using his mobile phone. Dr. A posted these photos in a KakaoTalk group chat with about 70 members of an art club. The real names of the patients, examination items, and dates were also leaked.

When Dr. A, the endoscopy operator, posted monitor screens showing patients' endoscopy images with comments like "We examined a lot today" and "It was tough," some chat participants responded by saying "It looks like a box of apples."

In June of last year, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul, which investigated the case following a report from a member of the art club, forwarded the case to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in August of the same year.

Dr. A is currently undergoing a first trial after being indicted on charges of violating the Personal Information Protection Act.

Those who violate the Personal Information Protection Act and fail to report the results of corrective actions may be fined up to 30 million won.

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