Seoul, South korea – A controversy is erupting over the appointment of a commissioner to a Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) committee, stemming from allegations of past involvement in a case linked to a contract murder of a female college student and subsequent falsification of medical certificates. Representative Kim has publicly questioned the judgment of HIRA Director Kang, who appointed Commissioner Park despite knowledge of the prior case.
The allegations center around a 2013 incident involving the death of a female college student. Representative Kim cited an anonymous post from an HIRA employee suggesting Director Kang may have previously intervened to assist Commissioner Park while serving as director of the National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital, potentially related to the investigation. Representative Kim specifically asked if Director Kang had “directly or indirectly” encouraged commissioner Park to apply for the committee position.
Director Kang acknowledged being a medical school classmate of Commissioner Park but denied any preferential treatment.He stated the incident occured over 10 years prior and “did not constitute a reason for disqualification for appointment,” adding, “I thought it would be okay because it was an old case.”
HIRA’s appointment regulations disqualify individuals sentenced to imprisonment within 5 years, those fined over 3 million won for duty-related crimes within 2 years (for public institution employees), and those fined over 1 million won for stalking or sexual assault within 3 years. However, the regulations contain no stipulations regarding punishments for violations of medical law or the falsification of medical certificates under criminal law.
ruling party lawmakers have condemned Director Kang’s “old incident” remark, demanding Commissioner Park’s immediate dismissal and Director Kang’s resignation. While Director Kang indicated consideration of “measures such as dismissal from position, personnel action, or disciplinary action” if social repercussions arise, he stopped short of agreeing to dismiss Commissioner Park, stating, “I think the person should decide his own course of action.” He also announced plans to strengthen verification processes to exclude individuals with histories of medical law violations or license cancellations/suspensions.
