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South Korean cosmetic surgery clinic staff ‘partied in operating theatre’ South Korean cosmetic surgery clinic staff ‘partied in operating theatre’
(35 minutes later)
South Korean health authorities have said they are investigating a cosmetic surgery clinic in Seoul after photographs emerged online apparently showing medical staff partying in an operating theatre.South Korean health authorities have said they are investigating a cosmetic surgery clinic in Seoul after photographs emerged online apparently showing medical staff partying in an operating theatre.
In one selfie, posted on Instagram, staff in scrubs appeared to stand around a candlelit birthday cake – with an apparently unconscious patient lying on a bed behind them.In one selfie, posted on Instagram, staff in scrubs appeared to stand around a candlelit birthday cake – with an apparently unconscious patient lying on a bed behind them.
Another picture on the photo-sharing app showed a staff member, wearing a mask and a surgery gown, jokingly placing a gel breast implant over her chest in an operating room. Another showed staff posing while eating hamburgers.Another picture on the photo-sharing app showed a staff member, wearing a mask and a surgery gown, jokingly placing a gel breast implant over her chest in an operating room. Another showed staff posing while eating hamburgers.
“Our officials are investigating the clinic to see if there was any violation of medical laws,” said a spokeswoman from the public health department in Seoul’s Gangnam district on Monday. “Our officials are investigating the clinic to see if there was any violation of medical laws,” said a spokeswoman from the public health department in Seoul’s Gangnam district on Monday. “They may look into whether such behaviour damaged the reputation of medical practitioners.”
“They may look into whether such behaviour damaged the reputation of medical practitioners,” she said.
Under South Korea’s medical law, behaviour deemed to tarnish the reputation of the industry can result in suspension.Under South Korea’s medical law, behaviour deemed to tarnish the reputation of the industry can result in suspension.
The images, posted by one staff member, drew a storm of online criticism for alleged disregard of sanitation rules and patient safety. They were taken down later.The images, posted by one staff member, drew a storm of online criticism for alleged disregard of sanitation rules and patient safety. They were taken down later.
The clinic apologised on Monday for “careless actions” by some of its staff, whom it confirmed were doctors or assistants there. The clinic apologised on Monday for “careless actions” by some of its staff, whom it confirmed were doctors or assistants. “We are left devastated for causing such concerns among our clients … because of the senseless behaviour,” Jewelry Plastic Surgery Centre said on its website.
“We are left devastated for causing such concerns among our clients … because of the senseless behaviour,” Jewelry Plastic Surgery Centre said on its website.
“We offer our deep apology … and will conduct thorough safety training for all our staff members.”“We offer our deep apology … and will conduct thorough safety training for all our staff members.”
The upmarket district in southern Seoul – made famous by South Korean singer Psy’s global hit Gangnam Style – is home to high-end stores as well as hundreds of cosmetic surgery clinics.The upmarket district in southern Seoul – made famous by South Korean singer Psy’s global hit Gangnam Style – is home to high-end stores as well as hundreds of cosmetic surgery clinics.
Looks-obsessed South Korea is famed for its vast cosmetic surgery industry, with one of the highest per-capita rates of cosmetic surgery procedures in the world. South Korea is famed for its vast cosmetic surgery industry, with one of the highest per-capita rates of cosmetic surgery procedures in the world.