"Patients Outraged at Beauty Clinic Closure in Daejeon Where Nurses Performed Procedures Instead of Doctors"

880 Prepaid Victims "Will Take Collective Action"
Individual Losses Reach Up to Several Million Won

Allegations have been raised that nurses, instead of doctors, performed procedures at a well-known franchise dermatology clinic in the Daejeon area. Following the emergence of these suspicions, the headquarters quickly notified the branch of the termination of the franchise contract. Customers who purchased procedure rights have stated that they will take joint action, including filing police reports, if refunds are not issued. Earlier, on the 24th, the headquarters posted a statement on the website of the franchise dermatology clinic in Daejeon announcing the termination of the franchise contract with the branch in question.

A well-known franchise dermatology clinic in Daejeon posted a sudden closure notice.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The franchise headquarters stated, "We officially inform you that the franchise contract with the Dunsan branch in Daejeon, which damaged the brand value, has been terminated in accordance with relevant provisions," adding, "The recent incident occurred independently within the management and treatment process of the Dunsan branch and is completely unrelated to other branches." The statement also included a refund notice: "Since the franchise has been terminated and treatment has ended, if you wish to receive a refund for remaining procedure rights, please leave an inquiry, and we will verify and refund sequentially," and "Refunds will be processed sequentially starting from the 26th."

Previously, allegations surfaced on online communities and social networking services (SNS) that nurses at a franchise dermatology clinic branch in Daejeon had been impersonating doctors to perform medical procedures. In response to these allegations, the clinic suddenly closed on the 24th and announced that operations would cease from the 6th of next month.

On the 24th, a statement from the headquarters announcing the termination of the franchise contract with the branch was posted on the website of a well-known skincare clinic franchise in Daejeon.
[Photo by Franchise Headquarters Website]

Following the sudden closure announcement, about 880 victims gathered in an online messenger chat room to seek refunds. They plan to take collective action, including filing complaints against the branch director with the police if refunds are not properly issued. Due to the industry practice of prepaying for multiple sessions, individual losses are expected to reach up to several million won per person.

The police are currently aware of the situation but have stated that investigations can only begin after complaints and reports are officially filed. A local health center official said, "We visited the site on the day, but the clinic was closed, making it difficult to conduct an investigation at this time," adding, "We have attempted to contact the director multiple times, but have been unable to reach them."