Chinese complaints about plastic surgery increasing

By Lee Kyung-min

A growing number of Chinese people are suffering side effects after undergoing plastic surgery procedures here.

A group of Chinese people has been staging rallies since last month, display pictures of their appearance before and after surgery at Myeong-dong and Gangnam ― where a large number of plastic surgery clinics are located.

The protestors include a Chinese woman who claims she has been having problems moving her right arm after undergoing liposuction on her abdomen in July.

Another woman who had a nose job said that is now disfigured and has been treated for depression due to the severe emotional distress. Another woman who had facial bone contouring surgery said her jaw is partly paralyzed, adding that she is seeking an apology.

They claim that Korean hospitals offered negligent medical services, and are seeking help to claim compensation.

According to the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency, the number of complaints filed by Chinese patients increased from five in 2012 to 18 in 2014. As of August this year, 12 people have filed complaints.

Their frustration is openly expressed on a popular mobile app that provides plastic surgery information and has more than 320,000 Chinese members.

Concerns have risen that such disputes may hurt relations between the two countries.

According to a report filed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to Rep. In Jae-keun of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, the Korean embassy in China has submitted official reports to the ministry almost every month, warning the possible negative impact of the issue on the diplomatic relations.

In the reports, the embassy said the antipathy against Korea is growing in China after a number of victims shared their stories online, stressing the need to correct malicious reports there that undermine the image of Korea.

It called for measures including punishment of plastic surgeons responsible for alleged malpractices.

Such widespread discontent might hurt Korea’s aim of becoming one of the leading countries for advanced medical services. The number of Chinese patients here surged to 79,500 last year from 4,725 in 2009.

“Damage from medical services here is a matter of sovereign credit,” Rep. In said. “The government should come up with countermeasures.”

In August, the government introduced a bill to oblige all clinics dealing with foreign patients to be insured for medical malpractices. But that is still pending at the National Assembly.