Comedian Park Na-rae
After allegations emerged that comedian Park Na-rae received medical services such as IV infusion treatment from a woman known as a so-called ‘injection aunt’, the medical community pointed out that this constitutes “illegal medical practice.” Some in the medical field have reported the case to the prosecution.
According to the medical community on the 8th, ‘injection aunt’ and ‘injection lady’ are slang terms for people who illegally inject IV fluids and other medicines in unapproved settings.
Recently, a report by the entertainment outlet Dispatch said that Park Na-rae received a fatigue-relief IV drip from an acquaintance known as an ‘injection aunt’ in an officetel and other locations, bringing their presence back into public view.
Representatives for Park Na-rae countered the allegations, saying it was “receiving a nutrient injection from a licensed physician” and thus not an issue. However, figures in the medical community are questioning the background of the ‘injection aunt’ who allegedly administered the IV drip, while also arguing that prescribing and injecting prescription drugs in unapproved places is clearly illegal medical practice.
Whether A, known as Park Na-rae’s ‘injection aunt’, holds a medical license is also disputed, but if A in fact prescribed and administered IV fluids in an officetel or in the vehicle of Park Na-rae, this alone could constitute illegal medical practice. The current Medical Service Act stipulates that medical personnel may conduct medical practice only inside medical institutions. Medical practice outside medical institutions is permitted only for purposes such as treating emergency patients, home nursing, or when there are unavoidable circumstances.
If it is unclear whether A is a doctor and medical procedures were also performed outside a medical institution, this can be seen as a clear violation of the Medical Service Act.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare likewise considers, based on what has been reported in the press, that the key issue will be whether the ‘injection aunt’ engaged in ‘medical practice outside a medical institution.’ It is also being examined whether A is a physician or nurse authorized to provide medical care, and, if a healthcare professional, whether ‘house calls’ as treatment outside a medical institution were carried out lawfully.
Even if A obtained a medical license overseas, in order to practice medicine domestically one must obtain a Korean medical license; if a nurse, medical practice outside a medical institution must be lawfully performed under the orders and prescriptions of a physician. An unqualified person may be punished for unlicensed medical practice under the Medical Service Act with imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to $37,500 (50,000,000 KRW). ‘House calls’ are also allowed only in certain exceptional situations, such as when a patient has difficulty walking, so if not lawful they may constitute a violation of the Medical Service Act.
Lim Hyun-taek, former president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), has requested an investigation, viewing the case as illegal medical practice based on the circumstances revealed so far.
The former president posted on social media, “Filed a complaint with the prosecution against the so-called ‘IV king injection aunt’ for suspected violations of the Special Act on the Control of Health-related Crimes, the Medical Service Act, and the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, for performing medical acts such as injections for Park Na-rae while playing doctor despite not being one.”
