Everyone gathered in front of the TV. The broadcast on the screen was CNN International News.
The CNN anchor spoke.
-We will now connect with reporter Kim Jeonghun, who has exclusively investigated the shocking WHO incident I just mentioned. Reporter Kim is with Korea’s Taeyoung Ilbo, and Taeyoung Ilbo has signed an exclusive agreement with CNN to jointly report on this case. Reporter Kim Jeonghun?
-Yes, this is Kim Jeonghun, currently reporting from Mogadishu, Somalia. I will expose the horrific medical malpractice committed here twenty years ago by Dr. Robert Whitman, head of the WHO Africa Medical Support Team.
“Did they just say Dr. Whitman?”
“What on earth is going on?”
The WHO investigation team erupted into murmurs.
Taeho crossed his arms and watched the situation unfold.
-In 2006, Whitman, then a young doctor, administered an unverified cholera vaccine without authorization to Somali refugee children at the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, without WHO approval.
Archival photographs from that time appeared on the screen. They showed a young Whitman giving injections to small children.
-Approximately 120,000 children received the vaccine at the time, and as a result, an estimated 127 children died. This was a fatality rate exceeding 0.1 percent, an extremely serious outcome. However, Whitman covered it up and shifted all responsibility onto the local medical staff.
“0.1 percent?”
The conference room fell into shock.
Even a vaccine-related fatality rate exceeding 0.001 percent would be considered a major problem. The WHO investigation team could not hide their astonishment.
On the screen, the CNN anchor picked up the conversation.
-Reporter Kim, I understand you have also secured testimony from survivors?
-Yes, that’s correct. Let us hear their testimony directly.
A middle-aged Black woman appeared on the screen.
-Whitman told us the vaccine was safe. He used our children as test subjects. Even after 127 children died from those injections, he never apologized. I lost my child then, too.
Reporter Kim Jeonghun continued.
-What is even more shocking is that after covering up this incident, Whitman was repeatedly promoted within the WHO. He is currently serving as head of the Africa Medical Support Team.
-How has the WHO responded?
-The WHO headquarters has not yet issued an official statement. However, now that the truth of this incident has been clearly revealed through related documents and witnesses, all eyes are on how the WHO will respond. This has been Kim Jeonghun of Taeyoung Ilbo and CNN, reporting from Mogadishu.
Ring, ring—
Investigation Team Leader Salama took out his phone and answered the call.
“Yes, Madam Chair. I saw the news. Pardon?”
The WHO investigation team exchanged troubled looks.
Salama ended the call and looked at the investigators with a grave expression. Silence settled over the conference room.
Salama let out a deep sigh and began to speak.
“Everyone, I have just spoken with the chair of the WHO headquarters Ethics Committee. I have been instructed to immediately suspend the investigation into Dr. Kang Taeho.”
One of the investigators asked in surprise.
“Suspend it? But the investigation isn’t finished yet…”
Salama raised a hand to stop him.
“A more urgent matter has arisen. We have been ordered to summon Dr. Whitman to headquarters in Geneva immediately and begin an emergency investigation.”
He gathered the documents as he continued speaking.
“To be frank, if we compare the matter we are investigating here with the incident just reported…”
Salama trailed off with an awkward expression.
Taeho asked.
“What comparison do you mean?”
“Dr. Kang, you saved a patient’s life. And you did so through an innovative method. Although there was controversy over procedure, the result was, ultimately, a complete success.”
He paused briefly to catch his breath, then continued.
“On the other hand, Dr. Whitman… is suspected of driving 127 children to their deaths and covering it up. And by using an unverified vaccine without WHO approval, no less.”
The investigators nodded.
“What is more serious is that Dr. Whitman attempted to investigate you while concealing such a past. If he himself committed a far greater ethical violation, does he have the right to judge another doctor?”
He declared before Taeho and the other investigators.
“In accordance with instructions from WHO headquarters, all investigations into Dr. Kang Taeho are officially suspended. And on behalf of the WHO, I offer an official apology. If this unjust investigation caused you any offense, I am sincerely sorry.”
“Team Leader, you and your people were only faithfully carrying out your duties. There is no need to apologize.”
When Taeho replied calmly, Salama looked relieved.
“Thank you. And if I may offer my personal opinion…”
After looking around, he spoke in a near whisper.
“As a medical professional, what you did was truly remarkable. The fusion of traditional medicine and modern medicine, patient-centered treatment. I believe this is the direction the WHO ought to pursue.”
President Ibrahim spoke with a satisfied expression.
“Then Dr. Kang is free now?”
“Yes, Mr. President. All suspicions have been cleared.”
Salama instructed the investigators.
“Pack your things. We return to Geneva tonight. And we must begin an emergency investigation into the Whitman case.”
As he left the conference room, Salama muttered to himself.
“To think the truth hidden for twenty years would surface at this exact moment… How ironic.”
***
One hour after the WHO investigation team hurriedly left the conference room at the presidential residence, Taeho’s phone rang.
“Reporter Kim. I saw the news.”
-Haha, it’s thanks to you, Director. Because of this scoop, our company even signed a partnership agreement with CNN.
Behind Kim Jeonghun’s voice over the phone, the street noise of Mogadishu mingled in.
“Congratulations, Reporter Kim.”
-Thank you. Hahaha. I also saw President Ibrahim of Gambia’s interview saying he received treatment from Director Kang. I was very surprised when I learned that the patient you mentioned back then was a future Nobel Peace Prize candidate.
-At the airport, I wasn’t in a position to tell you that.
“Of course. I understand. But Director, how on earth did you know about Whitman’s past from twenty years ago? You even told me specifically to investigate the Dadaab refugee camp.”
“Mm… I’ll just say someone gave me a hint.”
Taeho smiled faintly.
After hearing Mama Aisha’s words, he had traced Whitman’s activities from twenty years ago through Rema, just in case. As a result, he discovered that infant and child mortality rates at the Dadaab refugee camp had been abnormally high.
-A hint? Could there be a whistleblower inside the WHO?
“It’s nothing like that. In any case, I’m glad the truth came to light. Thanks to you, many people have learned the truth.”
-Come on, I only did what I had to do. But Director, actually, I…
Kim Jeonghun lowered his voice as if he had something important to say. But the connection was poor, and static crackled through the phone.
“Yes? Reporter Kim! I can’t hear you well.”
Bzzzt.
-…The connection here is terrible, Director. When are you returning to Korea?
“My work here is nearly finished, so I’ll be going back tomorrow.”
-I plan to stay a little longer, but when I return to Korea later, I’ll come to Geumsan Clinic for treatment.
“Yes, please do.”
Taeho ended the call and began packing again.
He did not have much luggage—little enough to fit into one small suitcase—but what he had gained here was far too large to be packed into a bag.
The phone on the desk rang again.
“Hello, this is Kang Taeho.”
-Dr. Kang, good day. This is Chairwoman Maria Van Kerkhove of the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Taeho stopped packing.
“Ah, hello.”
-First, I would like to apologize. We made a hasty judgment based on insufficient information.
Kerkhove’s voice carried sincere regret.
“There’s no need to apologize. An investigation was the natural procedure.”
-Thank you. However, I am calling today for another reason. The WHO board has decided unanimously to recommend you as a candidate for this year’s WHO Innovative Medical Technology Award.
“The WHO Innovative Medical Technology Award?”
-Yes. It is in recognition of your contribution to international medical cooperation and peacebuilding. In particular, considering your development of an innovative treatment method through the fusion of traditional medicine and modern medicine, your chances of receiving the award are very high.
“It is an honor.”
Taeho answered humbly.
“The award ceremony is scheduled to be held next month at headquarters in Geneva. We will send you an official invitation separately.”
After hanging up, Taeho stood blankly for a moment. It was an unexpected reward.
Ring, ring—
The phone rang again. This time, it was an American number.
“Hello?”
-Dr. Kang, it’s Catherine Tisch.
“Ah, Congresswoman! Hello.”
-I heard the news from Gambia. You truly accomplished something incredible.
“You flatter me. I only did what I could.”
-You’re still as modest as ever. But Dr. Kang, you saved a country. No, I suppose I should say you saved all of West Africa.
Catherine seemed so excited that she paused for a moment, short of breath, then continued.
-Dr. Kang, you always far exceed my expectations. I’ve spent thirty years in politics and met countless people. But this is the first time I’ve met a doctor with such enormous potential as you. What happened in Gambia has convinced me. Dr. Kang, you are not merely a doctor—you are someone who can change the world.
“You flatter me, Catherine.”
-It is not flattery. I am telling you the truth. Dr. Kang, do you have any plans to come to America sometime? I would like to repay you properly.
“Unfortunately, not at the moment. I have many scheduled patients waiting for me back in Korea. In any case, your words alone are more than enough. Thank you.”
-I should be the one thanking you. If you ever come to America, please be sure to call me. No matter how busy I am, I can make time to meet you, Dr. Kang.
“Hahaha. Understood, Catherine.”
The call ended.
Taeho sat down on the bed with a smile on his lips. So much had happened in just a few days.
Then he heard a familiar sound.
-Kang Taeho has successfully treated a stage 3 infection caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense.
-The following reward…
-Rema system upgrading…
-Achievements are being reevaluated.
-Kang Taeho is assessed as having decisively contributed to the peace and stability of all West Africa through the recovery of a national leader, beyond a simple medical act.
-Kang Taeho’s achievement has been registered in the Rema medical database.
-Special reward: +1,000 coins
-Current total: 3,560 coins
-Congratulations. You have achieved Silver rank.
-Countdown in progress: D-671
A thousand coins at once?
It was an astonishing number, one he had never received before.
I finally passed 3,000 coins and reached Silver rank.
-Intuition has increased by +20%.
-At present, Kang Taeho possesses specialist-level medical capability in dermatology, surgery, neurology, and infectious medicine.
Hmm, not bad.
Taeho’s mouth fell open on its own.
***
Twenty-five hours later. Geumsan Clinic.
Taeho was seeing the backlog of scheduled patients.
The next patient was forty-seven years old. Im Misuk.
The examination room door opened, and a middle-aged woman entered, carrying a luxury handbag and wearing heavy makeup.
“Hello, Director. I’m… dying!”
Im Misuk, who had suddenly raised her voice, threw herself into the patient’s chair. Then she pressed one hand to her forehead and let out a sigh.