Three Pediatric Emergency Specialists Resign...People Power Party Gyeonggi Province Chapter Says "Forced Police Investigation Threatens Medical System"

Following a search warrant by the Southern Gyeonggi Police Agency at Ajou University Hospital's pediatric emergency room, three pediatric emergency specialists have reportedly submitted resignation letters, with controversy over police forced investigations expanding to concerns about shrinkage of the region's emergency medical system.

On the 18th, the People Power Party Gyeonggi Province Chapter issued a statement through Lee Su-jung, head of the Suwon District Party Committee, saying "The debate over abuse of police authority by the Southern Gyeonggi Police Agency is escalating into a crisis that threatens emergency medical opportunities for children in southern Gyeonggi," and urged measures from the Lee Jae-myung government and Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae.

On the 30th of last month, the Southern Gyeonggi Police Agency conducted a search warrant at Ajou University Hospital's Pediatric Specialized Emergency Medical Center in connection with a case involving the death of a pediatric patient. Subsequently, one specialist at the center and two specialists at another pediatric specialized emergency medical center reportedly submitted resignation letters.

The Korean Medical Association and the Korean Society of Emergency Pediatrics warned that forced police investigations are accelerating the departure of essential medical personnel and even raised the possibility of pediatric emergency centers relinquishing their designations.

The police maintain that 17 minutes were required for on-site confirmation of the treatment room during the search warrant, and they waited for several hours until patient treatment was completed, thereby minimizing disruption to medical services. In contrast, the medical community contends that emergency treatment of a six-month-old infant experiencing seizures lasting over an hour was underway at the time, raising questions about the investigative methods.

In response, Director Lee questioned, "Can the convenience of investigation take precedence over a child's life? Is the 17 minutes the police mention more important than the patient's golden hour?"

Director Lee also cited a national audit response in which police stated they determined forced investigation was more advantageous for resolving suspicions than voluntary submission, and criticized, "As much effort as was made to reorganize investigative authority, have measures also been put in place to prevent police abuse of authority and protect citizens' lives and rights?"

While demanding the Lee Jae-myung government clarify the appropriateness of the investigation and implement measures to prevent recurrence, Director Lee also called on Governor Choo Mi-ae, saying "What exactly has Gyeonggi Province done while matters have reached this point?" and urged inspections of pediatric emergency center operations within the province and measures to maintain a 24-hour medical care system.

Director Lee emphasized, "A pediatric emergency room is not a place that can reopen after a child collapses," adding "While police talk about 17 minutes, what parents worry about is whether an emergency room will still be there when their child collapses."