Calls grow for continuing telemedicine services
gettyimagesbankBy Jun Ji-hyeCalls are growing from the startup scene and members of the public as well as some doctors for continuing non-face-to-face medical services, known as telemedicine, which was allowed temporarily in Korea at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, as it could be no longer available as soon as next month when the country's COVID-19 public health emergency ends.The Korea Startup Forum, the nation's largest startup membership organization, launched an online campaign on April 14 to obtain signatures to “protect” the current telemedicine services that are available for both new and regular patients. The campaign has attracted more than 90,000 signatures as of Wednesday, with participants including Woowa Brothers founder Kim Bong-jin and Viva Republica CEO Lee Seung-gun, as well as the general public including mothers who experienced the advantages of telemedicine services when their children were sick.Telemedicine, which has long been opposed by medical circles citing concerns over possible errors in diagnosis and drug prescription, was allowed temporar
