Dr. Park Sang-Hyun, the director of Semi Hospital in South Korea, is celebrated for both his skill and his generosity.
He graduated from Yonsei University, where he now serves as an adjunct professor in plastic surgery.
He’s also the president of the Korean Association of Plastic Surgery and a distinguished member of several prestigious plastic surgery societies.
Dr. Park’s specialties include initial and revision eye surgeries, and he’s actively engaged in advancing both surgical techniques and community health initiatives.
This is however about an inspiring initiative in South Korea where top plastic surgeons, including Dr. Park Sang-Hyun, are offering free scar removal surgeries to North Korean defectors.
Many defectors, carrying visible scars, cigarette burns, and other marks from their traumatic pasts, struggle to integrate into South Korean society.
These physical reminders of their experiences often contribute to emotional distress, making adaptation more challenging.
To address this, a Seoul-based police chief launched the Appearance Improvement Project in 2014, in collaboration with the Yongsan Police Station and the Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons.
Since then, over 1,800 clinics across the country have volunteered, providing free scar removal and reconstructive surgeries. To date, 22 defectors have benefited from this support, with 40 more on a waiting list.
Dr. Park Sang-Hyun, a prominent figure in this project, exemplifies generosity and empathy.
His commitment to helping these individuals heal both physically and emotionally reflects his dedication to using his skills for a meaningful cause.
Through his compassionate care, Dr. Park and his colleagues are giving defectors a chance to rebuild their lives with confidence, enabling them to face their new world without the visible marks of their painful past.