By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
A 102-year-old unlicensed doctor of Oriental medicine has been embroiled in a legal battle over the last three years to fight for his right to treat patients.
Chang Byung-doo, known as a great medical healer among his patients, was indicted in 2006 by the prosecution on charges of providing medical services without a medical license.
He was given 30-month prison term suspended for four years in the lower court and fined 10 million won ($10,000).
Chang, the oldest accused in Korea and the most famous doctor in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, filed an appeal with the Supreme Court. A final ruling was scheduled for last Thursday but was delayed at the request of his lawyer.
Chang didn't attend elementary school but learned medical practices from his grandfather who was a doctor for a king in the Joseon Kingdom.
According to the prosecution, he made more than 3,000 oriental medicine prescriptions and earned about 1.4 billion won without a medical license.
Following the indictment, about 100 people, including professors, pharmacists and government officials, have asked the court for leniency, saying they owed their lives to the old man. Among them, a university professor says Chang treated his stomach cancer.
During the appeal, the court asked Chang to show his treatment methods, but he refused to do so saying he would not show his medical skills to those who suspect him.
Chang's lawyer, Um Sang-ik said the current medical law cannot cover Chang's medical skills. ``It's fair to give a medical license to Chang who has special medical capabilities as well as allow patients the opportunity to receive treatment from him,'' he said.