Medical Association Strongly Warns: “Traditional Korean Medicine Doctors Using Cosmetic Medical Devices is Clearly Illegal”
The Korean Traditional Medicine Association, positioning itself as an ‘expert in cosmetic treatment’ by announcing training on high-risk medical devices like lasers… Medical Association: “Ignoring public safety.”
The controversy over whether traditional Korean medicine doctors can use cosmetic medical devices has reignited. Following the Korean Traditional Medicine Association’s announcement to educate traditional medicine doctors on the use of laser and energy-based cosmetic devices, the Special Committee on Traditional Chinese Medicine Countermeasures from the Korean Medical Association issued strong opposition and warnings.
The Medical Association emphasized that this attempt by traditional Korean medicine doctors is a ‘threatening of public safety’ encroaching on the field of medical devices without legal grounds or medical justification.
Modern Medical-Based Devices Used by Traditional Korean Medicine Doctors are Illegal: Not Recognized by the Supreme Court
The Special Committee from the Medical Association clarified that “all cosmetic devices used by traditional Korean medicine doctors, like lasers, ultrasound, and high-frequency, are modern medical devices based on anatomy, physiology, dermapathology, etc.” These devices can only be legitimately used within the range defined by a medical license and no legal authority is granted to traditional Korean medicine doctors.
“The Korean Traditional Medicine Association is presenting the use of laser by traditional medicine doctors as if it is legal using the police or some interpretations, yet there is no Supreme Court case justifying this.”
According to the Medical Association, even the Supreme Court’s decision in 2022 only conditionally recognized the use of ultrasound devices by traditional Korean medicine doctors and did not allow their use for treatment purposes or modern medical applications.
Claiming Expertise ‘by Taking Courses’? “A Thought Not Considering Patient Safety”
The Medical Association also heavily criticized the Korean Traditional Medicine Association for claiming to secure expertise through continuing education and academic activities. They stated that medical expertise is not something that can be acquired through short-term education and that the ability to handle ‘dangerous medical devices that can threaten public health’ should be fostered through more thorough verification and education.
“Gaining expertise after a few hours of education? This can pose a threat to public safety equivalent to a careless amateur causing harm.”
The Medical Association also pointed out issues with the accreditation of traditional medicine education itself, the competency of instructors, and the content of education. It was revealed that some educational courses use unverified copied textbooks.
Mentioning Anesthetic Drugs as “Admission by Someone with No Legal Authority”
The press release recently issued by the Korean Traditional Medicine Association including ‘traditional medicine doctors are educated about the side effects and contraindications of anesthetic drugs’ also became a target of criticism by the Medical Association. The Medical Association emphasized that anesthetic drugs fall under the category of specific medical pharmaceuticals for which traditional medicine doctors have no authorized rights of use.
“There are established cases where the mixed use of local anesthetics like lidocaine has been ruled as ‘unlicensed medical practice.’”
A precedent from June this year, regarding a case where a traditional medicine doctor injected lidocaine into an area of pain, with guilt being affirmed in both the first and second trials at the Seoul Southern District Court, was also cited. This serves as an example reinforcing that any use of anesthetic drugs by traditional medicine doctors is unequivocally an illegal act.
Claiming to be Experts in Cosmetic Treatment and Superior to Doctors? “Baseless Competition, False Agitation”
The Korean Traditional Medicine Association continues to assert that “traditional medicine doctors are more professional than doctors in cosmetic treatments” based on voluntary education and activities. However, the Medical Association evaluated this as “false propaganda to hide the lack of expertise.”
“Instead of creating a competitive stance by comparing with medical specialists, they should first face their own qualifications and limitations.”
It has been reported that misdiagnosis, burns, and scars attributable to the use of medical devices within the field of traditional Korean medicine continue to occur, prompting concerns that introducing a hasty competitive logic in such situations could expand medical risks.
“Doctors Who Are Left Behind Can Handle Regional Healthcare…” Comprehensive Criticism of Comments by the Korean Traditional Medicine Association
The comment from the Korean Traditional Medicine Association in some press releases that suggests, “falling behind doctors should go into regional healthcare” has also become controversial. The Medical Association staunchly criticized this as an “insult to regional healthcare workers,” stating that it reflects a disregard for South Korea’s essential medical system.
“Such a statement betrays even the minimal ethical awareness of medical professions related to public health.”
Many healthcare professionals working in regional healthcare are dedicated to closing the gap in healthcare and maintaining essential medical care. The Medical Association fine-tuned their evaluation that such communication, which mockingly undermines these professionals, threatens the overall trust in the medical community.
Distortion of Precedent and Exaggeration of Non-Referral by the Korean Traditional Medicine Association… “Do Not Mislead the Public”
The Special Committee from the Medical Association expressed great concern about the Korean Traditional Medicine Association interpreting police non-referral decisions or specific interpretation results subjectively, then packaging this as if recognizing their legal authority.
“The license range is a minimum device set for the safety of life and body. The boundaries between professions cannot be crossed.”
Despite the clear definition across various aspects like medical law, precedents, and rulings that traditional medicine doctors have no authority to use medical devices, distorting or exaggerating these facts is an issue, the Medical Association claims. They revealed plans to proceed with strong responses, including legal actions against continued such actions in the future.
“The Public Has the Right to Receive Accurate and Safe Treatment”
Ultimately, at the core of this controversy is the public’s health rights. The consistent position of the Medical Association is that no matter how much technology advances or device accessibility increases, the expertise and legal authority to handle these must not be disregarded.
“Promotion and conduct can change at any time, but the fact of handling human life does not change.”
Rather than devolving into inter-disciplinary conflict, maintaining a system where the public can receive safe treatment is confirmed as the most crucial task through this position.
In Conclusion
Medical practices ignoring the boundaries of law and expertise can eventually harm public trust and safety. Delivering responsible medical care within clear standards and roles is of paramount importance.
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