7th floor of the Korean Medical Association, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Ethics Committee office. A middle-aged female staff member sitting at the reception window greeted Taeho.
"Welcome. What brings you here today?"
"I've come to file a report with the Ethics Committee."
"What is the matter regarding……?"
"It's a medical ethics violation at Seyoung Seoul Hospital."
The staff member's eyes momentarily sharpened. Seyoung Seoul Hospital was a major hospital counted among South Korea's Big Five.
Naturally, it was an institution with extensive direct and indirect ties to the Korean Medical Association.
The staff member replied in a somewhat stiff tone.
"Please provide your identification and medical license for verification."
Taeho handed over the documents he had prepared.
The staff member looked at his ID, and her eyes doubled in size.
"If you're Director Kang Taeho of Geumsan Clinic, are you the person who recently received the WHO Innovation Award?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"I read the article about you thoroughly. After reading about how you helped traffic accident victims on your way to the awards ceremony and even assisted with a delivery, I thought, this is what a real doctor is."
The article must have left quite an impression. The staff member's expression softened, unlike before.
"Could you briefly tell me the contents of your report?"
"It is a report regarding Professor Kim Haseong of Seyoung Seoul Hospital's Neurosurgery Department, concerning the falsification of medical records and actions threatening patient safety."
At those words, the staff member's hands, which had been typing at the computer, stopped. She looked around briefly and lowered her voice.
"This is a serious matter. Please wait a moment. I will contact the Chairman immediately."
***
Thirty minutes later, Taeho entered the Ethics Committee Chairman's office as guided. Beyond the desk sat a man who appeared to be in his mid-sixties.
"Hello. I am Park Sangcheol, Chairman of the Ethics Committee."
"I am Kang Taeho of Geumsan Clinic. It is an honor to meet you."
After exchanging light greetings, Chairman Park looked at Taeho and continued.
"Director Kang, you've been appearing in the media quite often lately. Congratulations on the WHO award. But to think you would come to file a serious report—what is this about?"
Taeho placed a thick envelope he had prepared on the desk.
"It is a matter concerning a patient's life and the trust of the medical community. I could not turn a blind eye any longer, so I came here."
Chairman Park received the envelope.
"Is there evidence inside?"
Chairman Park Sangcheol took out the documents with a casual motion and began reading.
Taeho sat calmly and waited.
The materials Taeho had prepared contained records from that time, organized in chronological order, which he had found together with Rema based on Kim Miran's diary.
Chairman Park, having finished reviewing all the documents, spoke heavily.
"Hmm. If this is true, you are aware that it could cause massive repercussions throughout the entire medical community, correct?"
"Yes, I am well aware."
Chairman Park crossed his arms and fell into thought for a moment.
"Seyoung Hospital is one of our nation's finest medical institutions. Its social impact is enormous. This is not a problem that can be approached rashly……"
"Is the hospital's reputation more important than a patient's life?"
At Taeho's blunt retort, Chairman Park smiled, seeming slightly flustered.
"Of course not. However, procedurally and emotionally, this is an extremely sensitive matter. Consultation among committee members is necessary, and the internal review will take time as well."
"How long will it take?"
"Usually, more than four weeks are needed."
Taeho spoke calmly.
"Chairman. Because of this incident, that child is still lying in a vegetative state."
Silence stretched.
Finally, Chairman Park slowly nodded.
"Director Kang, can you truly take responsibility for all of this?"
"Yes. I will take responsibility for all the materials and testimony I have brought."
Chairman Park spoke while reorganizing the documents.
"Very well. Then I will circulate this to the committee."
"Thank you."
Taeho stood from his seat.
***
Seyoung Seoul Hospital, 27th floor, Hospital Director's office.
3 PM. Normally, it would be time to organize briefing materials over a cup of coffee. But today was different.
Chief of Legal Affairs Lee Sangyun urgently entered through the door.
"Director, the situation is dire right now."
Hospital Director Park Seongho slowly set down his coffee cup and raised his gaze.
"We received contact from the Korean Medical Association Ethics Committee."
"It's about Professor Kim Haseong."
"You knew?"
"I received a call earlier. Professor Park Sangcheol, chairman of the Ethics Committee, is my university classmate. So, Team Leader Lee, how do you view this matter?"
Lee Sangyun checked the memo he had brought and cautiously opened his mouth.
"The report Kang Taeho filed regarding Professor Kim Haseong involves falsification of medical records and acts threatening patient safety. Since they say he submitted quite concrete evidence, the Ethics Committee will have no choice but to proceed with formal investigation procedures."
At that moment, the door to the director's office opened again, and Neurosurgery Professor Kim Haseong entered.
"You called for me, Director?"
He was surprised to see the Director and the Chief of Legal Affairs sitting together and asked again.
"Has something happened?"
"Sit down, Professor."
A firm and cold tone.
Kim Haseong's expression stiffened.
"Do you remember Kang Taeho?"
"……Yes."
"That man reported you to the Ethics Committee. Regarding patient Jang Yuna from two years ago, on the matter of falsified medical records."
Kim Haseong's face turned pale in an instant.
Silence flowed for a moment.
"What did I say then? I said I would clean it up, but if it became a problem later, you would have to take responsibility."
"I have no excuse."
"Those words won't work a second time."
The Director leaned back in his seat, looked out the window once, then turned his head back toward Kim Haseong.
"When you tampered with those records, I had to think about the entire hospital. The patient's parents were none other than a Chief Prosecutor and a four-term National Assembly member. The media was sensitive too. Do you know what measures I took to cover that up?"
Even the Director, famous for his usual composure, could not contain his anger.
Kim Haseong bowed his head.
"Yes, I know. I'm sorry."
"But that has come back now. It's been filed with the Ethics Committee and is under circulation. This is not a situation we can fully control."
"I am truly sorry."
The Director fell silent, then pressed the intercom.
"Secretariat. Have all executives gather in the conference room within twenty minutes."
"Yes, Director."
After setting down the receiver, he looked straight at Kim Haseong once more.
"From now on, put away all emotions and remorse. This is not your problem alone; it is a matter of survival for the entire hospital."
"Yes."
"Also, clear all your outpatient surgery schedules for the time being and move only with the legal team. If even one careless word comes out of your mouth, we are all finished."
Kim Haseong couldn't even easily utter a word of affirmation, and simply nodded quietly.
The Director muttered to himself.
"Yeah. When something you thought was buried resurfaces, it's not about simply covering it up again…… You have to go and suppress it."
***
Twenty minutes later, Seyoung Seoul Hospital Grand Conference Room.
Executives had been urgently summoned to the room where regular monthly meetings were normally held.
As Hospital Director Park Seongho opened the door and entered, the conference room fell into momentary silence.
He slowly stood at the front of the conference room, caught his breath, and opened his mouth.
"The reason I have urgently convened this meeting is that our hospital has been exposed to an unexpected matter."
The Deputy Director cautiously asked.
"What kind of problem is it?"
The Director slightly furrowed his brow and spoke.
"Kang Taeho filed a report with the Korean Medical Association Ethics Committee. Regarding our hospital—specifically, Professor Kim Haseong."
The conference room buzzed.
"Kang Taeho? You mean that doctor from the medical malpractice incident two years ago?"
"The doctor who recently won an award from the WHO."
The Director raised his hand to quiet the room and continued.
"The contents concern allegations of medical record falsification related to patient Jang Yuna from two years ago. However, it is not yet a formal investigation. Currently, it has been accepted and is reportedly being circulated within the Ethics Committee."
Chief of Legal Affairs Lee Sangyun spoke.
"Since we have a long-standing connection with Chairman Park Sangcheol, we will approach cautiously. It is important to read the atmosphere before any official investigation."
The head of administration added his concern.
"Since the opponent is a WHO awardee, if it gets exposed to the media, it will be a huge blow to our image."
Chief Lee Sangyun nodded.
"That's why we need to activate our political connections before that."
The Director spoke.
"This is not a simple internal matter. The entire name of Seyoung Hospital is on the line. The Ethics Committee is an independent body, but it is influenced by the surrounding climate. We will quietly utilize people connected to us."
The PR chief cautiously raised his hand.
"If the committee's movements leak to the media first, public opinion could shift rapidly."
"That's why the media is a secondary priority. First come internal control and unofficial responses."
The Director nodded.
The marketing chief raised his hand.
"We will disseminate keywords centered on SNS and blogs. We will repeatedly expose terms such as 'solo practice' and 'unverified prescriptions.'"
The Chief of Legal Affairs continued.
"Since real names and the hospital name have been mentioned, we must draw a legal line before the Ethics Committee reaches a decision."
The Director nodded.
"Send warning letters to the media companies. Make it clear that reporting while matters are uncertain may carry legal consequences."
The chief of nursing raised her hand.
"If it's Kang Taeho, he's recently become a hot topic among the staff. Word that he worked at our hospital until two years ago is already spreading. You must take measures before internal confusion grows."
"Send out an internal notice today. Sharing of related content is forbidden. Include that violators will face disciplinary action."
The HR chief bowed his head and answered.
"Understood. I will send both text messages and emails."
As the meeting ended, the hospital immediately began to move.
The legal team scheduled a meeting with a major law firm, the PR team began preemptive responses by leaking anonymous information to media companies, the marketing team began adjusting portal site keywords, and the administration team prepared to make contact with former Ministry of Health and Welfare personnel.
***
Geumsan Clinic. 7 PM.
Taeho, having finished all consultations for the day, sat at his desk drinking tea.
Before his eyes, information sent by Rema appeared on a holographic screen.
-Accounts under observation: 86.
-Seyoung Hospital-related media article exposures: 17.
-Suspicious post influx route tracking rate: 92.4%.
Rema's reports were concise and precise.
Taeho slowly leaned back in his chair.
"Rema. What's the keyword spreading fastest online?"
-A total of 134 posts containing the keywords 'solo practice,' 'dangerous doctor,' and 'political ambition' detected. Mostly initiated by new accounts created within 24 hours. Repeated access patterns discovered from an identical IP range.
"As expected, they've deployed a comment team too."
Taeho narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms.
-Tracking of internal Ethics Committee email circulation successful.
-Seventeen minutes ago, Chairman Park Sangcheol conducted an unofficial call with an advisor from Seyoung Hospital.
"They've started moving on that side too. Rema. Track their movements and keep recording them."
-Yes. Under 24-hour surveillance.
At that moment, Rema's screen flickered once and a new notification appeared.
-Breaking news detected: Portal main page #1 changed.
-Title: [Exclusive] "Suspicious Allegations at the Nation's Top Large Hospital"
-Reporter: Kim Jeonghoon
Taeho quietly set down his teacup.
"As expected, Reporter Kim really knows how to write an article."
Rema poured out its analysis.
-Over 700,000 views within 8 minutes of posting.
-3,200 comments.
-Sentiment analysis results: Negative 84%, Anger 67%.
-SNS spread index rapidly rising. 12 influencers retweeted. 5 real-time reaction videos being created on YouTube.
-Most frequent keywords: "Which hospital," "Investigation needed"
"Round one is over now. Next is……"
Taeho picked up the thick envelope on his desk. Inside were Yuna's surgical records, Kim Haseong's EMR tampering logs, and decisive evidence that had not yet been made public.
"Because the finishing blow still remains."
A situation he had simulated in his mind dozens of times already.
Everything was proceeding according to Taeho's expectations.
Except for one unexpected visitor.