Introduction As the demand for healthcare interpreting is growing, healthcare institutions need more professional medical interpreters. As interpreters, however, many untrained bilingual people interpret among patients and caregivers in medical settings in Korea. When interpreters who are related to the patient interpret for the patient and doctors, impartiality is sometimes called into question because it is difficult to adhere to neutrality when their relatives or friends are involved. This article aims to understand the principle of impartiality that seems to be most questioned and the consequences of using relatives and friends as interpreters, based on my experience interpreting in medical settings. DescriptionWhen I was in Korea, I was an interpreter volunteer in the international clinic. As a volunteer interpreter, my work did not require professional medical interpreting skills. One day I received a phone call from a nurse who had a foreign patient. He told me that the patient was English and needed an interpreter when he saw a doctor. The nurse also said that this consultation did not contain any serious or difficult medical terminology. When I went to the waiting room, I recognized it as my former English professor. He remembered me too so we exchanged greetings. As we exchanged greetings, the nurse asked me about our relationship and I told her that I had taken her class last semester. When the nurse heard my story, she said it would be good if the patient had a company that knew him. At that time I thought that for our relationship, professor and student, it would not be a problem to have him act as an interpreter. Therefore I took him to the doctor's room and started... middle of paper... the patient. Considering the situation and the literature, I believe that interpreters should not take on an interpreting-related role in a medical setting. However, if the relationship with the patient is leading to positive outcomes, interpreters should accept an assignment based on the patient's needs. Conclusion The top priority of medical interpreters is to remove the language barrier between doctors and patients and help patients treat appropriately. Indeed, impartiality can be questioned in medical settings. However, some articles point out that the interpreter who is related to the patient is not always harmful to patients and doctors. Therefore, when medical interpreters accept an assignment, they should consider what is best for patients and doctors.