President Lee Won-seok: "Medical Law Procedures, Minimal Legal Measures... Strict Response to Illegal Activities"

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok stated on the 28th, "Medical care, which is directly related to the life and health of the people, serves as a public good, so the Medical Service Act anticipates such cases and sets procedures in advance," adding, "This is an inevitable minimum legal measure to protect the life and health of the people." According to the Medical Service Act, if medical personnel do not comply with the government's order to commence work, they may face suspension of qualifications for up to one year or imprisonment for up to three years.

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok is presiding over the 'February Monthly Meeting' at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 28th. / Photo by Supreme Prosecutors' Office

On the same day, Prosecutor General Lee presided over the 'February Monthly Meeting' at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, stating, "Prosecutors nationwide must respond swiftly and strictly to illegal acts that pose a direct threat to the life and health of the people, as this is the state's duty to protect the fundamental rights of life and health of the people."

Prosecutor General Lee said, "The reason soldiers cannot leave the front lines and firefighters cannot leave the fire scene is because the lives and safety of others rest on their shoulders," and added, "The reason captains and pilots evacuate passengers and leave last is the same," indirectly criticizing medical personnel who have left medical sites. He continued, "The places where medical personnel should be are the clinics, operating rooms, and emergency rooms," emphasizing, "Patients, their families, and all citizens are earnestly waiting for medical personnel to return to the medical field."

He also said, "Handling the life, health, and safety of others is extremely difficult and the weight of responsibility is immense, but precisely because of this, one gains a sense of accomplishment, pride, and social respect," and added, "I believe medical personnel are also deeply contemplating these matters."

Prosecutor General Lee urged again, "If medical personnel return to the medical field, stay by the patients' side, protect the medical sites, and express their opinions within the medical community, it will be more sincere, and the public and government agencies will listen even more attentively."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice will recruit experienced prosecutors with more than two years of legal experience to alleviate manpower shortages at frontline prosecutors' offices. Regarding this, Prosecutor General Lee said, "Since last year, we have been recruiting experts in criminal psychology, biotechnology, pharmacy, finance, securities, and accounting. This year, we plan to improve the selection process for experienced prosecutors and expand the recruitment of new prosecutors to strengthen crime response capabilities," urging, "Please actively engage in discovering and recommending talented individuals."

Prosecutor General Lee stated, "Through the adjustment of investigative authority and the 'Prosecution's Complete Abolition of Investigation' (검수완박), the criminal justice procedure, which used to be like a highway, has turned into a complex maze with 74 routes, making it difficult even for legal experts to understand. Despite putting in the same effort as before, the speed and fairness of investigations have declined," but added, "The prosecution, which must protect the people's lives, bodies, and property immediately, cannot simply blame flawed laws. We must actively find and do everything possible within the given environment and conditions."

He emphasized, "The human capabilities of each member of the prosecution are the greatest strategic asset, and having excellent members with both character and ability join the prosecution and develop their capabilities is the future of the prosecution."

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