Noh Hwan-gyu, Former Korean Medical Association President, Appears at Police Station: "No Contact with Resident Doctors' Group"

Former Korean Medical Association (KMA) President Roh Hwan-gyu, who was accused of inciting collective action by medical residents in opposition to the government's plan to increase medical school admissions, appeared at the police station on the 9th.

The Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency summoned former President Roh to the Mapo-gu police station for questioning that morning. He is the second current or former KMA official to be investigated by the police, following Joo Su-ho, the Public Relations Director of the Emergency Response Committee, on the 6th.

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At around 10:35 a.m., former President Roh entered the station and said, "As a senior doctor, I only expressed my concern for the medical residents on social media (SNS) and have had no contact whatsoever with any resident groups or the KMA."

Regarding the accusations against himself and other current and former KMA officials, he raised his voice, saying, "This is something that could happen in a dictatorship, but I do not believe it could happen in the Republic of Korea in 2024."

On the recent allegations concerning the 'medical residents blacklist document,' he stated, "If it is true, it is an unacceptable matter that should never be discussed."

He continued, "The reason so many doctors are strongly opposing the government's large-scale increase policy is because we believe this policy could fundamentally collapse Korea's healthcare system, and we feel a duty to stop it."

He added, "The number of doctors in Korea is increasing faster than in any OECD country, more than twice the average growth rate. However, the government never shares this information with the public."

On the 27th of last month, the Ministry of Health and Welfare filed complaints against five people, including KMA Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Taek-woo, Committee Chairman Joo, and former President Roh, on charges of violating the Medical Service Act, obstruction of business under the Criminal Act, and incitement and aiding.

The government believes they incited and aided the collective action by medical residents, which also disrupted the work of training hospitals where the residents are affiliated.

The police have imposed travel bans on these individuals and executed search warrants on the KMA Emergency Response Committee leadership to secure related materials. On the 12th, the police plan to summon Chairman Kim and Emergency Response Committee Organization Strengthening Chairman Park Myung-ha for questioning in turn.

The police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the allegation that the KMA created the medical residents blacklist document through online communities and other means. The KMA Emergency Response Committee has denied the authenticity of the document and has announced plans to file a criminal complaint for forgery.

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