[National Assembly Audit Hot Figure] Former Doctor Han Jia Digs Into Regulatory Blind Spots of 'Fake Doctor' AI Ads

"On YouTube and Instagram, there is a proliferation of fake experts such as doctors and pharmacists created using artificial intelligence (AI). The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety should establish a system dedicated to monitoring advertisements that utilize AI."

On October 21, Han Jia, a member of the People Power Party, focused her questioning on the issue of false advertisements featuring fake medical professionals generated by AI during the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee audit. She sharply pointed out the regulatory loophole that AI-generated doctors or pharmacists are not currently subject to existing regulations.

Han Jia, a member of the People Power Party, is attending a party meeting held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of August 5 last year. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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Han, who is herself a former doctor, stated, "It is complacent to classify AI-generated advertisements solely as false or exaggerated advertising and respond with existing methods," emphasizing, "The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety should separately categorize and track these advertisements, and verify their rate of spread and actual purchases."

The government has also implemented institutional improvements. In response to Han's suggestion that the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety should establish a dedicated system to monitor AI-generated advertisements for health functional foods and similar products, Oh Yu-kyung, the head of the ministry, replied that institutional supplements would be reviewed.

Han also drew attention to the contract between Hyundai Department Store and its vendors in relation to the sale of pesticide-contaminated oolong tea. During the audit, both Hyundai Department Store and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety faced heavy criticism, led by Han, who had requested Hyundai Department Store CEO Jung Ji-young as a witness.

Hyundai Department Store and its vendors operate under a "special purchase agreement," in which the distributor directly purchases goods, holds inventory, and sells the products. Because the distributor holds ownership, the department store takes all profits from sales. Han questioned Hyundai Department Store's attempts to avoid responsibility for its vendors, despite holding ownership of the profits.

Han stated, "Hyundai Department Store is the actual seller and ultimately responsible for the sale of oolong tea containing pesticide ingredients, yet has not faced any sanctions. The special purchase agreement is a typical example of an unfair contract, as all ownership of risks is placed on the vendors." She called for sweeping corrective measures.

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