National Hospital Director Accused of Accepting Pharmaceutical Hospitality Denies Quid Pro Quo in Court

Received 4.6 Million Won for Accommodation and Meals
First Trial Held at Gwangju District Court... Next Hearing Set for August
Trial Continues While Defendant Remains Suspended from Position

The head of a national hospital in South Jeolla Province has been brought to trial on charges of receiving promotional expenses from a pharmaceutical company.

On June 10, Judge Kim Yongshin, presiding over the Criminal Division 8 of the Gwangju District Court, held the first hearing for Mr. A (age 63), who has been indicted on charges of bribery and violation of the Medical Service Act.

Gwangju District Court. Photo by Song Bohyun

Mr. A, who served as the director of a national hospital in South Jeolla Province, is accused of receiving approximately 4.6 million won in four separate instances from pharmaceutical sales representative Mr. B in January 2020, in exchange for adopting and prescribing specific medications.

Mr. A's legal team acknowledged receiving expenses for accommodation and meals but denied that these were related to his official duties. They argued that only pharmaceutical wholesalers are allowed to participate in the hospital's bidding process, and that the pharmaceutical company Mr. B belongs to has no history of participating in such bids.

The court has decided to proceed with additional hearings by summoning multiple witnesses. The next hearing is scheduled for August 12.

Mr. A, who is both a physician and a fixed-term public official, is currently suspended from his position.

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