The controversy over the "injection aunt" that began with broadcaster Park Na-rae's alleged abuse of power has grown uncontrollably and continues to cause daily repercussions.
On the 8th, according to a Channel A exclusive report, confirmation of the association's internal DB showed that the person identified as Park Na-rae's "injection aunt," Ms. Lee, was found not to be a holder of a domestic medical license.
The Korean Medical Association Organization is the country's official statutory organization that all doctors in Korea join, and if one holds a domestic medical license, they are registered in the association's DB. However, when the association checked using Ms. Lee's information, it was confirmed that she did not hold a domestic license.
If someone without a domestic medical license performs medical acts, they can be punished under the Medical Service Act with up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won. In this regard, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said, "Because this is a case already reported to and recognized by investigative authorities, we will monitor the progress of the investigation and consider administrative investigations if necessary."
That day, the association issued an official statement saying, "We make clear that this is a violation of the Medical Service Act and the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act that seriously threatens public health, and we strongly urge the government and investigative authorities as follows," and requested a thorough investigation and punishment of Ms. Lee's alleged ▲illegal unlicensed medical acts ▲illegal distribution of psychotropic drugs. It also urged the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety to conduct a full investigation and strict supervision into ▲secret illegal unlicensed medical acts ▲illegal proxy prescriptions ▲management of psychotropic drug distribution, and asked that the Korean Medical Association Organization be given "self-disciplinary authority" to effectively monitor and cleanse illegal acts in medical settings.
Earlier, former Korean Medical Association Organization president Lim Hyun-taek also announced on his SNS the day before that he had filed a complaint with the prosecution accusing Ms. Lee of violations including the Act on the Control of Public Health Crimes, the Medical Service Act and the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. Former President Lim said, "The prosecution should immediately detain and begin investigation because Ms. A's passport should be suspended and departure prohibited and evidence destruction was attempted amid allegations of violations of the Act on the Control of Public Health Crimes, the Medical Service Act, the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and fraud under the Criminal Act," and added, "Ms. A's husband, Park Na-rae's manager, and Park Na-rae should also be strictly investigated and punished according to the law for whether they are joint perpetrators, accomplices or instigators. The scope of the investigation should be expanded to entertainers who committed such illegal acts."
Dermatology specialist and director Ham Ik-byeong also appeared on CBS Radio's Kim Hyun-jung's News Show on the 9th and said, "Even if someone obtained a medical license abroad, they cannot practice medicine domestically. Even a Nobel Prize–winning doctor cannot prescribe here. They can only provide consultation. Diagnosis and procedures must be done by the attending physician. It is impossible for a foreign doctor to issue prescriptions in Korea."
There were also criticisms that performing medical acts in places like ordinary homes, regardless of whether one holds a medical license, is itself problematic. Director Ham Ik-byeong said, "House calls or nurse visits are possible for patients who have difficulty moving only under the direction of the attending physician. Receiving injections at home because one is busy is not an exception. Generally, all of that is illegal," and regarding suspicions of proxy prescriptions he said, "It appears to be a medicine that cannot be bought without a prescription. It is likely a psychotropic drug. If it is a proxy prescription or unauthorized distribution, the level of punishment is high."
Regarding Park Na-rae's legal responsibility, he said, "Most illegal procedures result in punishment for the person who performed them, but if Park Na-rae knew the procedures were unlicensed and continued to request them, she could be legally implicated," and interpreted, "Park Na-rae's claim that it was a 'house call' appears to be a defensive argument to reduce the possibility of punishment."
In addition, allegations were raised that Ms. Lee had fallen behind on rent for five years. With the prosecution's complaint and the government closely watching the current situation, attention is focused on how the case will be resolved.
Meanwhile, Park Na-rae was recently embroiled in allegations of illegal medical acts after revelations by former managers. Park Na-rae's agency told OSEN, "All that happened was that she received vitamin injections from someone with a medical license," and said, "She first met (the injection aunt) at a hospital. They became close after that, and because her schedule was tight, she requested house calls whenever she was having a hard time," asserting there were no legal issues. The person identified as the "injection aunt" also refuted by saying, "I served as Professor Choi Yeon-su, the first foreign and domestic professor at Naimenggu Fogang Medical University Hospital," but when an exposé appeared saying "Naimenggu Fogang Medical University is a phantom medical school with no substance," she deleted her posts and disappeared.
As the controversy expanded, Park Na-rae stepped down from MBC's I Live Alone, Please Save Me! Homes and tvN's Amazing Saturday and halted her activities. She bowed her head and said, "With the help of many people, I was only able to face the former manager yesterday, and we were able to resolve misunderstandings and distrust between us, but I still think everything is my fault and I deeply reflect. As a comedian whose job is to bring laughter and joy, I decided to suspend broadcasting activities until everything is completely resolved because I cannot cause further trouble to programs and colleagues. I once again bow my head and deeply apologize to everyone who believed in and supported me."
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]