Severance Hospital Faces Police Probe Over Unlicensed Medical Practice Allegations

Severance Hospital is under police investigation for alleged unlicensed medical practice. Police conducted searches and seizures at the hospital, which were initiated based on a public interest tip received by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) in October last year. The police began actively investigating the case in March after receiving a referral from the ACRC.

Police are investigating allegations that overseas trainees performed surgeries unsupervised for extended periods in Severance Hospital's operating rooms, despite current laws requiring medical practice by foreign medical professionals to be conducted under the supervision of a designated professor and within approved scopes. The whistleblower claimed to have witnessed situations where some overseas medical professionals staying at major domestic hospitals performed surgeries independently without their supervising professor present. The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that if the reported content is true, it could be interpreted as 'unlicensed medical practice'.

Severance Hospital explained that its internal guidelines permit concurrent surgeries in up to two operating rooms. The hospital stated it is cooperating with the police investigation into the unlicensed medical practice allegations while reviewing its relevant guidelines and regulations. It also added that it is reviewing its operating room management guidelines and trainee management regulations and methods.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare acknowledged the positive intent behind the overseas training program and stated it will improve the management system to ensure this purpose is not undermined.