Latest news with #AsanMedicalCenter
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Posts target former South Korean first lady with misleadingly blurred image
The altered image was featured as the thumbnail of a YouTube Shorts video shared on June 23, 2025. The clip shows Kim holding a blurred object to her mouth, with superimposed Korean-language text that reads: "Kim Keon Hee chain-smoking in a hospital room" and "[She] continues to chain-smoke." The 25-second video does not contain any footage of Kim smoking. Instead, it features individuals repeating unverified claims that a hospital employee saw Kim smoking after she was admitted to the Asan Medical Center in Seoul on June 16 for what local media described as "severe depression" (archived here and here). Kim is currently under investigation for multiple alleged crimes, including a suspected stock-rigging scheme tied to Deutsch Motors, the receipt of a luxury Dior handbag, interference in candidate nominations ahead of the 2022 parliamentary by-elections, and influence-peddling in a major highway rerouting project (archived here and here). The same video was widely shared by multiple Facebook users critical of Kim. Comments left in the misleading posts indicated several users believed the image genuinely showed Kim lighting a cigarette. "Wonder who captured this video, they must have risked their life," one user wrote. Another said: "Caught red-handed, the hospital should kick her out." The image, however, is not from a hospital room -- nor does it show Kim smoking. A reverse image search on Google found the photo is a manipulated still from news footage published on YouTube on January 11, 2023 by the South Korean broadcaster YTN. In the original footage — timestamped at 1:10:57 — Kim is seen using chopsticks to eat "tteok", Korean rice cake, during a visit to a traditional market in Daegu (archived link). In the doctored version, the rice cake and chopsticks have been obscured and blurred to create the appearance of Kim holding a cigarette. Kim's visit to the market in Daegu at the time was widely reported by local news outlets, many of which carried similar footage of her eating rice cakes (archived here and here). Newsis, a Korean news agency, also captured a photo of Kim eating a rice cake from a similar angle as the YTN footage (archived link). AFP was unable to independently verify the claim that Kim was seen smoking inside the hospital. No images or video footage have emerged to support the allegation. Kim has frequently been the subject of misinformation online, which AFP has previously debunked. Days after an altered image of Kim Keon Hee circulated, supporters of the rival camp shared a doctored image of First Lady Kim Hea-kyung, falsely claiming it also showed her smoking (archived link). But a reverse image search on Google led to a YouTube video posted by South Korean broadcaster SBS on July 18, 2017 (archived link). The clip is from a 2017 reality TV show that featured the first couple when President Lee Jae-myung was still mayor of the northwestern city of Seongnam. In the original video, Kim Hea-kyung is holding chopsticks, with the tips lightly touching her mouth. But in the doctored image, her hand and the chopsticks were blurred. Her husband has been a frequent target of misinformation, which AFP has previously debunked here.
Qatar Tribune
18-06-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
KMC Becomes First in Qatar to Offer Stem Cell Therapy to the Public
The Korean Medical Center (KMC) has officially launched Qatar's first widely accessible stem cell therapy program, offering a groundbreaking, non-surgical treatment for early-stage joint degeneration. While stem cell therapy has previously been available only to niche groups, this marks the first time any eligible patient can undergo live stem cell therapy in the country. Led by Dr. Youngwoong Back, Head of the Spine & Joint Center at KMC, the program offers a minimally invasive alternative to joint replacement for patients suffering from cartilage defects, early-stage osteoarthritis, or ligament injuries. The treatment uses live stem cells extracted from the patient's own bone marrow, injected directly into the affected joint to halt further cartilage deterioration and relieve pain. 'One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that people wait until the pain is unbearable before they seek treatment,' said Dr. Back. 'But by then, we're often dealing with advanced, irreversible degeneration. Stem cell therapy isn't about turning back time, it's about intervening early, when the body still has the biological capacity to respond.' 'By harvesting mesenchymal stem cells from the patient's own bone marrow and reinjecting them into damaged joints, we aim to halt the inflammatory cascade that leads to cartilage erosion. These cells do not rebuild cartilage from scratch, but they create a supportive environment that promotes tissue stabilization, reduces inflammation, alleviates pain, and slows down further degeneration. It's not a miracle—it's science applied with precision and timing. For patients in the early and middle stages, this could mean the difference between preserving years of mobility and facing inevitable surgical intervention,' he added. With over 13 years of experience, Dr. Back is a Korean board-certified orthopedic surgeon affiliated with South Korea's prestigious Asan Medical Center. He is a member of the Korean Society of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and has advanced his training in orthopedic care at the Mayo Clinic (USA) and across the UAE. At KMC, he now brings this expertise to Qatar, tailoring treatments to Qatar's growing demand for preventative and regenerative joint care. What sets KMC's stem cell therapy apart is its accessibility, precision, and scientific credibility. For the first time in Qatar, live stem cell therapy is accessible to the public. While the treatment is especially effective for individuals with early and middlestage joint degeneration, such as those diagnosed with Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 2 or 3, it is not restricted to them. This broad availability marks a major shift in how regenerative care is delivered in the country. The therapy itself is a game-changer. It is a needle-based procedure performed without general anesthesia or the need for an operating room. Bone marrow is extracted from the patient's pelvic bone, and live stem cells are reinjected into the affected joint, helping to halt cartilage breakdown. Most patients report no pain during the injection and only mild discomfort on the donor site the following morning. Backed by scientific partnerships with EHL Bio and GC Genome, Korea's leaders in regenerative research, KMC's approach ensures that global innovation meets local care. Results speak for themselves: over 90–95% of patients with early-stage joint degeneration who underwent stem cell therapy reported significant pain relief and restored mobility within weeks. For the first time, cutting-edge stem cell therapy is no longer out of reach—it's right here in Qatar, ready to change lives. 'This is not just a medical first, it's a statement of intent,' said Dr. Fatih Mehmet Gul, CEO, Korean Medical Center. 'By making stem cell therapy immediately available to the public, we're setting a new benchmark for what healthcare access should look like in Qatar and the region. For too long, regenerative treatments have been confined to niche cases. KMC changes that.' He added, "The launch of this therapy reflects our patient-centric approach above all, a commitment to meeting patient needs with meaningful access, timely intervention, and individualized care. While the science behind stem cell therapy is well established, what sets KMC apart is how we deliver it: responsibly, accessibly, and at scale. This is what modern healthcare should be, defined not just by technology, but by its relevance to the people it serves.
Korea Herald
30-03-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
Meals for healthy aging now easier when dining out
Catch Table teams up with geriatrics professor to promote slow-aging meals Restaurant reservation platform Catch Table announced Sunday that it has partnered with Jung Hee-won, a professor in the division of geriatrics at Asan Medical Center and a prominent advocate of slow-aging diets, to promote the idea that meals supporting healthy aging can also be enjoyed when dining out. Tapping into the growing trend of health-conscious eating, which emphasizes avoiding high-fat and high-glycemic ingredients that strain the body, Catch Table and Jung have introduced a set of dining guidelines to help consumers make better choices at restaurants. The recommendations aim to address the challenge that dining out presents obstacles for those trying to follow a slow-aging lifestyle due to limited healthy menu options. The guideline encourages diners to order in a specific sequence — starting with vegetables, then protein, followed by carbohydrates — to support digestion and maintain stable blood sugar levels. It also advises choosing steamed or grilled dishes over stir-fried ones to avoid excess oil and unhealthy fats, and opting for meals with wholesome ingredients such as brown rice, fish and vegetables. The app also provides a curated list of restaurants that serve healthier dishes, including Mediterranean-style options with ingredients like olive oil, chickpeas and tomatoes. 'Slow-aging starts with everyday eating habits. In particular, creating an environment where people can easily adopt these habits is important since many dine out frequently. Hopefully, the guideline can make it easier for more people to look for healthy dining choices,' Jung said in a statement. Catch Table said it plans to continue expanding its range of health-oriented dining choices by collaborating with various experts in the field.
Korea Herald
24-03-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
From fad to lifestyle: Slow-aging diet gains momentum among young Koreans
Food companies embrace new health trend with more nutritious offerings Ha Sang-hee, a woman in her 30s, regularly shares photos of her homemade meals on social media platform X. Her dishes consistently exclude white rice, processed foods and strongly flavored sauces— a choice she refers to as the "slow-aging diet." To fully enjoy meals without these ingredients, she experiments with recipes and shares her successful creations online. "(After eight months on the diet,) I feel my stamina and immunity have improved, and I am taking better care of myself. This has helped stabilize my mind and shake off negative thoughts," Ha said. She is not alone. Many others follow the same diet. Some 58,000 participants, including Ha, share their slow-aging diet experiences in a group on X. Like Ha, many members are in their 20s and 30s. The buzzword "slow aging" refers to a lifestyle focused on extending lifespans through good habits while minimizing physical and mental stress. As a key part of this concept, the slow-aging diet emphasizes avoiding high-fat and high-glycemic ingredients, which can stress the body. The term has recently gained widespread popularity in Korea, evolving from a social media trend among young users into a broader generational movement. From meme to mainstream During the early 2020s, many Korean consumers embraced bold flavors in foods like tteokbokki and malatang, believing these dishes helped relieve stress. However, a drastic shift occurred after the continued efforts of Dr. Jung Hee-won, a geriatric medicine professor at Asan Medical Center in Seoul and the leader of the slow-aging group that Ha is part of. Since 2024, Dr. Jung has actively promoted healthy lifestyle choices on social media, particularly on X. His online influence turned "slow aging" into a viral meme, earning him the nickname "Professor Slow-Aging," which has become more widely recognized than his real name. Initially, he gained attention for unconventional food combinations, such as adding lentils and ice to ramyeon while discarding the soup. However, his continued advocacy has encouraged more people to adopt his dietary approach. As the slow-aging diet gains momentum beyond social media, major food companies are jumping on board. 7-Eleven Korea and leading food manufacturer CJ CheilJedang have launched slow-aging-inspired products based on Dr. Jung's recipes. These products feature mixed or whole grains, reduced salt and a higher proportion of vegetables. "We found that lunchboxes and ready-to-eat meals created in collaboration with Professor Jung continue to be widely mentioned online. Most reviews come from millennials and Generation Z, spanning from teenagers to adults in their early 40s," said an official from Korea Seven (operator of 7-Eleven Korea). The official added that these products remain among the top-ranked items on the franchise's mobile app, even months after launch. Meanwhile, GS25, another major convenience store chain, launched semi-polished rice in February, following a 60.7 percent year-on-year increase in mixed grain sales the previous month. "Food lineups are now diversifying to cater to consumers drawn to the slow-aging trend. These new products can attract more buyers and further expand the health-focused food market," said Lee Eun-hee, a consumer science professor at Inha University. More popular among younger generations One notable aspect of the slow-aging trend is its strong appeal to younger generations, who have focused less on healthy eating than older adults. In the past, Korean food trends favored creamy and sweet desserts, but this is changing. This change is partly attributed to Dr. Jung's active presence on social media, as well as endorsements from influential YouTubers and celebrities who have introduced the trend to younger audiences. However, surveys indicate a general trend of people in their 20s and 30s placing a greater emphasis on health. According to a market researcher Embrain Trendmonitor, the proportion of respondents in their 20s and 30s who reported making efforts to maintain their health increased to 55 percent and 49.5 percent, respectively, in 2024, up from 30.8 percent and 32 percent in 2016. Notably, these age groups now show the highest interest in health management after those in their 60s, compared to having the least interest in 2016. Various analyses explore the younger generations' growing health consciousness. The food industry points to an increased societal focus on health following the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for growing health awareness. Additionally, some suggest that the sharp rise in obesity and diabetes cases among individuals in their 20s has contributed to this shift. According to Choi Chul, a consumer economics professor at Sookmyung Women's University, the slow-aging movement aligns with Korea's evolving consumer behavior. "As their average income rises, Koreans seek more than just enjoyment from consumption. Motivated by self-care and self-love, they find greater satisfaction in spending on health, which goes beyond achieving a good-looking body," Choi said. He added that this "self-love" mindset is particularly strong among younger generations, and social media has played a crucial role in spreading the trend. "The rise of health-conscious content on social media, combined with the growing self-care movement, has likely accelerated the spread of health trends among younger Koreans," he added.
