The data reveals a consistent pattern of arrests across the years, with an annual average of 159 doctors apprehended, from a low of 147 in 2019 to a high of 168 in 2021. (Image from Yonhap News TV)
SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea has witnessed a startling increase in the number of doctors arrested for sexual crimes in the past five years, with nearly 800 cases reported.
Data provided by Nam In-soon, a member of the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee, indicates that from 2018 to 2022, a total of 793 doctors, including Korean traditional medicine practitioners and dentists, have been apprehended for sexual offenses.
The majority of these arrests were for rape and sexual assault, encompassing 86.9% (689 doctors) of the total cases. The remaining included illicit filming using cameras (80 doctors, 10.1%), obscene acts via communication media (19 cases, 2.4%), and intrusion into public places for sexual purposes (5 doctors, 0.6%).
The data reveals a consistent pattern of arrests across the years, with an annual average of 159 doctors apprehended, from a low of 147 in 2019 to a high of 168 in 2021.
One notable case involved a former director of a plastic surgery clinic in Apgujeong, Seoul, identified only as Dr. Yeom, who was initially investigated for prescribing narcotics like propofol for non-medical purposes as part of the notorious ‘Apgujeong Rolls Royce’ incident.
The investigation further revealed Dr. Yeom’s involvement in sexual crimes against patients, including illegal filming and sexual assault of more than ten women under anesthesia.
In another significant case early this year, a professor from the respiratory medicine department at Seoul Asan Hospital was found to have repeatedly sexually harassed and assaulted over 10 people, including residents and nurses, from 2021.
Despite receiving a five-month suspension, the professor’s subsequent reinstatement in September caused public controversy.
These incidents have led to increased calls for more stringent measures against sexual misconduct in the medical profession. Responding to public outcry, the National Assembly revised the medical laws, previously criticized for being too lenient.
As per the amended Medical Service Act effective from November, medical professionals convicted of crimes resulting in imprisonment will face license revocation.
However, the effectiveness of these new regulations remains in question. Park Hyun-jung, a visiting professor at Chosun University’s law school, highlighted in a recent paper the difficulties in recognizing and proving sexual crimes in medical settings.
Park emphasized the complexity of distinguishing between medical procedures and criminal acts, due to the inherent trust in doctor-patient relationships and the intricacies of medical practice, which often lead to lesser sentences.
Park expressed skepticism about the efficacy of the revised laws, stating, “There’s doubt whether the comprehensively amended regulations will serve as a strong deterrent,” and stressed the need for legal and institutional measures tailored to the medical profession’s unique characteristics.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
