It has been reported that professors belonging to the Pediatric Specialized Emergency Medical Center at Ajou University Hospital, who were recently subjected to a police search and seizure in connection with a pediatric patient's death, have expressed their intent to resign.

Representative Han Ji-ah of the People Power Party shared the news during last night's (October 27) comprehensive parliamentary audit by the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, saying, "I just communicated with the head of the Ajou University center for the first time."

Representative Han explained, "After watching today's audit, seven professors at the Ajou University Hospital Pediatric Emergency Center decided to resign. I pleaded with them not to quit, but they said their hands were shaking and they could no longer provide treatment under the jurisdiction of the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency."

Earlier during the audit that day, Ham Young-wook, head of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit at the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, which holds jurisdiction, appeared as a witness.

Although both the ruling and opposition parties demanded an apology regarding the search and seizure, Unit Head Ham repeatedly expressed that he was "regretful."

Ham hesitated several times during his remarks, but ultimately refrained from uttering the word "apology."

Instead, he stated, "I express my deep respect for the hard work of the medical staff who dedicate 24 hours a day to protecting the lives of citizens," adding, "As the head of the investigation, I feel regretful about the disruptions to medical treatment experienced by the pediatric emergency room medical staff during the search and seizure."

At the same time, he explained, "The medical accident investigation team coordinated with hospital officials in advance, waited, and executed the search and seizure to the minimum necessary extent in an empty examination room with officials participating."


Regarding this, Representative Han disputed the claim that there was no disruption to medical treatment, asserting, "When I asked if they could obtain CCTV footage, the hospital seemed burdened by it as well, finding it burdensome to cause friction with the regional police agency."

Representative Han shared, "Yesterday, the Nambu Provincial Police Agency contacted the hospital and told them to submit a complete list of medical staff who were on duty on July 15, when the child passed away. The medical staff said that alone made it difficult for them to treat patients."

She further urged Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong to take action, stating, "If Unit Head Ham had simply apologized, this situation would not have happened. We cannot allow the pediatric emergency medical center at Ajou University Hospital, the largest hospital in Suwon, to shut down."

In response, Minister Jeong replied, "I will discuss the matter further with the National Police Agency."

Health and Welfare Committee Chairperson Lee Man-hee stated, "We will accurately grasp the circumstances and consult with the secretaries of both parties to explain an action plan at the committee level on how to proceed."

(Photo: Yonhap News)