"Slow aging" expert Dr. Jeong Hee-won will step down as Seoul's chief health officer amid controversy over private affairs.
According to the Seoul city government on the 22nd, Jeong submitted a resignation offer to the city on the 21st.
The chief health officer is a position introduced by the Seoul city government to respond to demographic shifts and pursue health-centered governance. The role provides advice from a public health perspective throughout the policymaking and implementation process across city affairs and proposes policy ideas. It is essentially a consultant role.
Jeong was appointed chief health officer in Aug. and has been active in the role. After graduating from Seoul National University College of Medicine, Jeong received a Ph.D. in science from the Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering at KAIST. Before being appointed chief health officer, Jeong served as a professor in the geriatrics department at Asan Medical Center.
Jeong's offer to resign stems from the fallout over recent controversy about private affairs. Jeong and a woman in her 30s, identified as A, a former colleague, are locked in cross-complaints. Jeong filed a complaint with police accusing A of attempted extortion, housebreaking and other charges, saying stalking began in July. In response, A filed a countersuit, saying it was "gender-based violence that occurred within a power relationship," accusing Jeong of forced indecent act and other charges.
The Seoul city government is reportedly set to accept Jeong's resignation.