Over 1,000 doctors to face probe for alleged kickbacks from drugmaker: police

Chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Cho Ji-ho speaks at the opening of a campaign event in Jongno district, Seoul, March 18. Korea Times photo by Simon Park

Police will launch an investigation into more than 1,000 doctors suspected of receiving illegal kickbacks from a drugmaker, the Seoul police chief said Monday.

Police have confirmed circumstances suggesting that the doctors received kickbacks in cash and other rewards ranging from several million won to tens of millions of won per individual from Korean Drug, Cho Ji-ho, chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said.

Cho said that police will soon launch an inquiry into the suspected doctors, adding that all or some number of them could be booked for an official investigation depending on their explanations regarding the financial gifts they received.

The gifts received included cash, electronic devices and free invitations to golf outings, he said.

Korean Drug has been under a police investigation for allegedly bribing doctors to prescribe their products in return for kickbacks.

Eight Korean Drug officials, along with 14 doctors, have been booked so far as part of the investigation.

Cho also suggested the possibility of expanding the probe to include other drugmakers, saying, "There were aspects suggesting it's not limited to a single drugmaker, so we are not ruling out the option of broadening the probe in consultation with tax authorities." (Yonhap)