Head of Korean Intern Resident Association summoned by police for questioning

Park Dan, head of the Korean Intern Resident Association, said Monday that he received a police summons last Thursday.

Park Dan, head of Korean Intern Resident Association, speaks to reporters after filing a lawsuit against Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong at the Seoul Administrative Court in southern Seoul in May. [NEWS1]

Park Dan, head of the Korean Intern Resident Association, said Monday that he received a police summons last Thursday.

In a Facebook post, Park said he received registered mail from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, calling him to attend a questioning session as a witness.

The police are investigating six current and former officials of the Korean Medical Association (KMA) on charges including breach of the Medical Service Act, obstruction of business and aiding and abetting a walkout by junior doctors.

Park said that he had not been previously notified by phone calls or messages. He requested a change of the testimony date because he had not yet appointed his attorney.

He said that “nearly half a year has passed since the submission of his resignation” and stated that he would continue to oppose the government’s medical policies and initiatives.

“The government appears to be on a tightrope, as it has started mobilizing police forces this time,” Park wrote. He questioned whether this was an attempt to force the medical community into submission through the use of power and force.

Regarding the subpoena delivered to Park, police said that it was part of an investigation to clarify charges against senior KMA officials.

A police official said that it is unlikely Park will become a suspect for the time being.

In February, Park announced his resignation effective Feb. 20 and expressed his support for the free will of his colleagues and fellow junior doctors. He also asked them not to engage in collective actions.

While the government views the junior doctors' walkout as collective action, the medical community maintains that the walkouts and resignations were individual choices.

With no junior doctors returning, general hospitals are pondering ways to restructure their staffs in light of operational deficits.

According to the medical community on Tuesday, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital in western Seoul, which is affiliated with the Catholic Medical Center, is reviewing a plan to restructure and downsize its services for “better efficiency.”

An official from the hospital told Yonhap News Agency that specific details, including the number of employees to be dismissed or patient beds to be cut, have not yet been confirmed.

The hospital, equipped with 530 beds, employs around 1,300 doctors and health care workers. In a report from Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday, an anonymous source from the medical community said the hospital has been experiencing deficits since the Catholic Medical Center opened Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital in southern Seoul.

The source added that “the junior doctors’ walkout might have adversely impacted its balance sheet.” Yonsei University Health System recently extended the layoff period for administrative workers from the previous 40 days to 80 days at its three affiliated hospitals — Severance Hospital in western Seoul, Gangnam Severance Hospital in southern Seoul and Yongin Severance Hospital in Gyeonggi. Asan Medical Center and Kyung Hee University Medical Center have been offering nurses unpaid leave to reduce spending on human resources.

Update, Aug. 6 : Added details about hospitals restructuring.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]