# South Korean medical safety and consumer protection issues

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-medical-safety-and-consumer-protection-issues
> Updated: 2026-10-06T23:45:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

South Korea is facing growing concerns regarding patient safety and consumer rights within its medical sector. Data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety indicates that reports of serious adverse events involving medical devices more than doubled between 2021 and 2025. Specifically, serious incidents involving hospitalization or permanent disability rose by 120.6%, with high-risk implantable devices—particularly silicone breast implants—accounting for a significant portion of these reports.

Parallel to device safety issues, consumer protection concerns have emerged regarding the closure of medical institutions. Between 2022 and August 2026, over 1,100 consumer complaints were filed with the Korea Consumer Agency concerning clinic closures or suspensions. These complaints were primarily concentrated in dermatology and dentistry, often involving the non-fulfillment of contracts or the inability of patients to recover prepaid fees. Lawmakers have called for increased transparency in device safety investigations and strengthened legal protections to ensure outpatient patients are properly notified of clinic closures.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-06: South Korean medical clinic closures spark consumer protection concerns

Consumer complaints regarding medical clinic closures in South Korea reached 1,157 cases, with dermatology and dentistry making up 68% of reports, highlighting gaps in outpatient notification laws.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-medical-clinic-closures-spark-consumer-protection-concerns

### 2026-09-21: South Korea medical device serious adverse events double in five years

Serious adverse events from medical devices in South Korea have increased by over 120% in five years, with silicone breast implants accounting for 90% of all implant-related incidents.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-medical-device-serious-adverse-events-double-in-five-years

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Cite as: South Korean medical safety and consumer protection issues. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-medical-safety-and-consumer-protection-issues