Doctors walk down a hallway at a general hospital in Seoul on July 8, 2024. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — As medical reshuffling debates intensify in South Korea, critics warn that the absence of any legal or institutional mechanism for patients to verify doctors’ qualifications or disciplinary history is leaving the public vulnerable.
Unlike lawyers and accountants at home, or doctors in the United States and Britain, physicians in South Korea are not required to disclose even the most basic information, such as licensing status, disciplinary actions, or areas of specialty. Patients must often rely on hospital profiles, online reviews or word-of-mouth — sources that are frequently incomplete or unreliable.
A report released Tuesday by the National Assembly Research Service highlighted the gap. The Ministry of Health and Welfare operates a licensing management system, but it serves administrative convenience rather than patient access.
The consequences of opaque oversight have been severe. In 2014, the physician whose malpractice was linked to the death of singer Shin Hae-chul continued practicing medicine while standing trial, during which another suspected case of malpractice occurred. Observers argue that if patients had access to his disciplinary record, further harm might have been prevented.
South Korea’s stance contrasts sharply with global norms. Most U.S. states maintain online portals where the public can verify a doctor’s license and view any disciplinary sanctions. Other domestic professions, such as lawyers, accountants and tax consultants, also publish disciplinary information to protect consumers’ rights.
The government’s reluctance to act has drawn mounting criticism. In 2018, the Consumer Policy Committee recommended releasing at least basic information, but no progress has been made since. Officials have cited privacy concerns, but experts argue that limited disclosure — such as license validity, specialty and hospital affiliation — could strike a balance between transparency and personal rights.
“Placing the medical community’s resistance above patients’ right to safety undermines public trust,” said one legal scholar. “The government must present a clear roadmap for reform.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
