Health · Healthcare & Policy · 2 hrs ago
Seven Ajou Hospital pediatric emergency doctors signal plans to resign
Seven pediatric emergency specialists at Ajou University Hospital have told the hospital they intend to resign after police searched its pediatric emergency center.
They are seven of the center’s nine specialists, but none has submitted a resignation or left the hospital.
Police searched the center on September 30 as part of an investigation into a child who died after receiving treatment there in July.
Medical professionals say the search disrupted emergency care, while police say they coordinated with the hospital and searched an empty treatment room within the limits of a warrant.
The dispute matters because the center provides specialist emergency care for children.
No departures have taken place, and the hospital has not said what will happen next.
Seven of the nine pediatric emergency medicine specialists at Ajou University Hospital have told the hospital they intend to resign.
They have not submitted formal resignations, and no specialist has left the hospital since the police search.
Police searched the hospital’s pediatric emergency center in connection with an investigation into the death of a child who was treated there in July.
Medical representatives said the search disrupted emergency care, while police said it was conducted lawfully and with steps to limit disruption.
- Who
- Seven of the nine pediatric emergency medicine specialists at Ajou University Hospital said they intend to resign.
- What
- They told the hospital of their plans, but have not submitted formal resignation letters.
- When
- The hospital reported the plans on October 28, 2026.
- Where
- Ajou University Hospital in Suwon, South Korea.
- Why
- Not stated. The plans were reported after a police search linked to an investigation into a child’s death.
Medical community
Police
Search and effect on care
Medical community
Medical representatives said police carried out excessive coercive investigative measures in an emergency room while it was treating patients, disrupting care.
Police
Police said they coordinated in advance with the hospital and searched an empty treatment room with hospital staff present, using the minimum necessary scope.
A child died after receiving treatment at Ajou University Hospital.
Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency searched the hospital’s pediatric emergency center and other areas in connection with the case.
The search was discussed at a National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee audit, where a police official defended the search procedure.
The hospital said seven of its nine pediatric emergency medicine specialists had recently expressed plans to resign.
- Specialists who signaled plans to resign
- 7 of 9
- Formal resignations submitted
- None
- Hospital
- Ajou University Hospital, Suwon
- Police search
- September 30, 2026
- Child’s death
- July 2026
1 source
What people are saying
I deeply respect the efforts of medical staff who devote themselves to protecting people’s lives, and regret any disruption to medical care.