Two North Korean doctors faced a public struggle session after being caught selling medicine supplied to their hospital.<\/p>\n
“Two doctors at the Third Prevention Hospital were criticized at an ideological struggle session on March 17 for pocketing and selling medicine. The session was organized by the organization and guidance department of the Chongjin party committee, which denounced the doctors’ ‘reactionary behavior’ and imposed harsh punishment,” a source in North Hamgyong province told Daily NK recently.<\/p>\n
A somber mood permeated the hospital’s assembly hall during the session, attended by both medical and non-clinical staff.<\/p>\n
As the two doctors stood before the gathered audience, the organization and guidance department presented evidence of their long-running scheme selling medicine taken from hospital supplies. Officials condemned them for endangering patients’ lives and deceiving the state, labeling their actions as reactionary behavior.<\/p>\n
“Officials declared their actions weren’t merely inappropriate but constituted a serious threat to public health. They said the doctors were guilty of grave reactionary behavior that undermined revolutionary spirit and organizational solidarity,” the source said.<\/p>\n
Following this, doctors from the Third Prevention Hospital reportedly stood up one by one to denounce their colleagues standing on stage.<\/p>\n
During the session, the department stripped both doctors of their party membership and dismissed them from their positions. The doctor who masterminded the scheme was further banished with his family to the mines of Kyonghung county.<\/p>\n
“This meeting demonstrates how firmly the party rejects anti-revolutionary ideology. This is an opportunity to further instill revolutionary discipline and dedicated public service in the medical sector,” department officials emphasized.<\/p>\n
“Actions defying the party line will not be tolerated under any circumstances. We must continue holding rigorous struggle sessions to prevent such behavior,” they added.<\/p>\n
The hospital staff were shocked by the severity of the punishment.<\/p>\n
“This isn’t the first time someone’s been caught stealing medicine for resale. Previous offenders were fired and given six months of disciplinary labor, but this time, they were labeled reactionaries, expelled from the party, and banished with their families. Everyone at the meeting was clearly shocked, though they tried to hide it,” the source said.<\/p>\n
“The punished individuals were skilled doctors who had worked at the hospital for many years. Doctors bending rules isn’t uncommon, so hospital staff and locals feel sorry these doctors are being ousted as reactionaries,” the source added.<\/p>\n