Chinese embassy issues warning amid recent cosmetic tragedy in S Korea

In response to a recent cosmetic tragedy that has raised generalized concern, the Chinese Embassy in South Korea has issued a warning to Chinese citizens seeking plastic surgeries in the country. The cautionary advisory emphasizes the importance of choosing reputable medical institutions and professional plastic surgeons to avoid potential incidents.

In recent years, a growing number of Chinese nationals have sought cosmetic procedures in South Korea. Unfortunately, some individuals have found themselves entangled in medical disputes due to surgical failures, and even lost their lives in certain cases, the embassy said in its WeChat account.

The embassy's advisory reminds Chinese citizens to exercise caution when selecting intermediary agencies, strictly adhere to standardized medical procedures, and pursue rational legal recourse in the event of medical disputes.

The advisory comes in the wake of a recent incident where a Chinese woman in her 20s died after undergoing liposuction three times within two weeks at a plastic surgery clinic in Seoul, capital of South Korea.

South Korean authorities revealed that the woman experienced severe pain several days after the surgeries, leading to an emergency hospital visit, reported South Korea's YTN news. Postoperative diagnoses indicated infections at the incision sites, ultimately resulting in necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis. The woman passed away on January 10.

In response to this tragedy, the family of the deceased has filed a complaint against the plastic surgery clinic, suspecting negligence in causing harm and death. The South Korean authorities plan to conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of the death.

This incident has raised questions and concerns about South Korea's cosmetic industry, particularly regarding the unusual frequency of the woman's liposuction procedures. Speculations have arisen about whether this might be a direct contributing factor to the tragedy.

A translator based in South Korea surnamed Yin told The Paper that "cases of cosmetic surgery failures in South Korea are not uncommon. The qualifications of South Korean doctors and the accreditation of hospitals have been questioned."

However, if individuals do not obtain appropriate visas for their trips to South Korea, leading to limited stay durations, this could also potentially contribute to accidents, Yin added.

"Due to the limited amount of time they can spend in South Korea, they might prefer to complete all procedures in a short period. If they encounter unethical doctors who prioritize profit over rejecting customers' demands, tragedies are more likely to occur."

This case is not the first tragedy of plastic surgery failure involving Chinese nationals in South Korea.

In 2015, a 50-year-old Chinese woman was certified brain death during a cosmetic procedure at a clinic in the bustling Gangnam District, Seoul. The facility responsible was charged with violating national health regulations, reports said.