For more on the blowback to the governor’s decision, we now turn to Joseph Kim reports.

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Korean Medical Association chair visits Jeju

The chair of the Korea Medical Association, (최대집) Choi Dae-jip, visits the provincial office to meet the governor.

His visit was made to express the association’s disapproval on the establishment of the for-profit foreign hospital, the Greenland International Hospital.

The closed door meeting with the governor lasted for about 30 minutes.

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Choi ‘concerned about potential expansion of for-profit hospitals’

Right after the meeting, Choi says that there are no legal tools to prohibit medical treatment to Koreans even though the for-profit hospital is for international patients.

Choi Dae-jip / Chair, Korean Medical Association
The Jeju Special Act provides the right to choose whether to give medical treatment or not based on nationality. This is clearly unconstitutional because the Constitution guarantees the right to health and life for all. The special act cannot regulate expansion of for-profit hospitals.
< 최대집 / 대한의사협회 회장 >
단지 국적에 따라서 진료하지 않을 수 있다는 것이 의료법을 넘어서 국민의 건강권과 생명권이라는 헌법적 가치에 비춰볼 때 특별법으로 규율할 수 있겠는가 우려가 있습니다.

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Choi to seek advice from health professionals

He also announced that he expressed his concern to the governor on the potential expansion of the for-profit hospitals to cover Korean patients and his association will seek advice from health professionals to prevent expected harmful side effects.

Criticism on the approval of the hospital are also heard from the National Assembly.

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Other opponents outline critiques in press conference

Lawmaker (윤소하) Yun So-ha from the Justice Party and the Headquarters against Medical Service Privatization criticize the governor for ignoring results of the public opinion polls about the nation's first for-profit foreign hospital.

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Yun seeks to revoke permission and amend Jeju Special Act

They emphasize that they will launch a movement to revoke the permission for the Greenland International Hospital and amend the Jeju Special Act to eliminate any legal grounds to establish for-profit hospitals.

Yun So-ha / Lawmaker, Justice Party
Governor Won breaks his promise and doesn’t follow the opinion of locals. His decision has procedural flaws as well as moral and political issues.
< 윤소하 / 정의당 국회의원 >
원희룡 지사는 스스로의 약속도 파기하고 제주도민의 결정에 따르지 않고 이번 결정을 했습니다. 절차적으로 정치 도의적으로도 있을 수 없는 결정입니다. 원 지사는 즉각 개원 허가를 철회해야 할 것입니다.

Lee Jeong-mi / Leader, Justice Party
For-profit hospitals harm the public nature of medical service and they are contrary to the so-called ‘Moon Jae-in Care’ that fortifies public health insurance. Seoul should thoroughly supervise the foreign hospital so it doesn’t lead to a collapse of the nation’s medical insurance system.
< 이정미 / 정의당 대표 >
(영리병원은) 의료의 공공성을 훼손하고, 건강보험의 보장성을 확대하려는 문재인 케어의 방향과도 배치됩니다. 정부는 녹지병원을 철저히 관리 감독해 영리병원 개원이 의료체계 붕괴로 이어지는 일이 없도록 해야 할 것입니다.

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Kim Yong-min

Won’s decision is being badly battered by civil societies, medical professionals and politicians.

Joseph Kim, KCTV