Broadcast personality Park Na-rae (40) is facing allegations of receiving medical services, such as intravenous injections, from a woman labeled as the “Injection Aunt.” In response, the government stated that it might consider an administrative investigation depending on the progress of the ongoing investigation. Some members of the medical community have already reported the incident to the prosecution.
According to medical sources on the 8th, terms like “Injection Aunt” or “Injection Lady” refer to individuals who illegally administer medical injections, such as IV fluids, in unauthorized locations. The Ministry of Health and Welfare views the possibility of “non-medical institution medical practices” by the Injection Aunt, A, as a key issue. They have already filed a complaint and acknowledged the case to investigative authorities, stating they will monitor the investigation progress and consider additional administrative actions if needed.
The Ministry emphasized that while those directly involved in illegal acts are primarily punishable, the patient could also be considered an accomplice and face penalties if they knowingly encouraged the violation of medical laws.
The investigation will include whether A is a qualified doctor or nurse, and if so, whether any home care services provided were conducted lawfully. Even if A has a medical license from abroad, they must obtain a Korean medical license to practice domestically. A nurse must operate under the guidance and prescriptions of a doctor to lawfully perform medical acts outside a medical institution. Unlicensed individuals performing medical tasks could face up to five years in prison or fines of up to 50 million won under medical law.
Im Hyun-taek, former president of the Korean Medical Association, has judged the acts to be illegal medical practices based on existing evidence and has requested an investigation. He posted on Facebook that he filed a complaint against the so-called “IV King Injection Aunt” for performing medical acts without a doctor’s qualification on Park Na-rae, citing violations of the Special Act on Health Crimes, Medical Law, and Pharmaceutical Affairs Law.
The “Meeting of Doctors Aspiring for a Fair Society,” a group of young doctors and medical students, also pointed out the need to verify if Park’s acquaintance is indeed a doctor, stressing that A’s medical credentials should be confirmed separately.
Whether A possesses a medical license remains under debate, but if it’s proven that A administered medical injections in locations like an office or Park’s vehicle, this in itself could constitute illegal medical practice. Under current medical law, medical professionals are only allowed to conduct medical activities within medical institutions, except in cases like emergency treatment or home nursing under unavoidable circumstances.