Seoul doctors sentenced for illegal propofol injections and secret patient recordings

Two physicians operating a private clinic in Cheongdam‑dong, Seoul, illegally administered medical narcotics such as propofol and ketamine to clients, charging roughly 350,000 won per injection—about 31.7 times the drugs' cost. From November 2021 to November 2023 they treated at least 15 patients, earning around 4.5 billion won in total. The doctors also covertly filmed patients while they were sedated, with one physician recorded 27 such incidents.

South Korean police arrested the doctors and an administrative officer, and forwarded the case involving 14 individuals—including the doctors, staff and clients—to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office for charges of violating narcotics control laws and related offenses. The investigation uncovered the first known misuse of the sedative dexmedetomidine as a substitute for controlled substances, prompting police to request that health authorities formally designate the drug as a narcotic. Authorities also seized the physicians' assets and are seeking to recover the illicit profits.