South Korean Nurse Assistant Arrested After Allegedly Injecting Herself With Propofol on First Day at Work
A nurse assistant in South Korea has been arrested after police say she injected herself with propofol using medication recovered from discarded syringes on her very first day of work at a dermatology clinic.
The incident has shocked healthcare professionals across the country and raised renewed concerns about the handling and disposal of controlled drugs in medical facilities.
According to the Seoul Gangnam Police Station, the woman, who is in her 20s, was arrested on July 2 on suspicion of violating South Korea’s Narcotics Control Act.
Investigators allege she retrieved syringes containing leftover propofol from a medical waste container inside the clinic, transferred the remaining drug into another syringe, and injected it into her own arm while at work.
Police say the alleged incident occurred on her very first day of employment at the dermatology clinic.
Authorities reportedly caught her shortly after the injection and have since booked her without detention while the investigation continues.
What is Propofol?
Propofol is a powerful intravenous anaesthetic widely used by anaesthetists to induce and maintain general anaesthesia, provide procedural sedation, and sedate critically ill patients in intensive care units.
Because of its rapid onset and short duration of action, propofol is often referred to as the “milk of amnesia” due to its distinctive white appearance.
Although it has legitimate medical uses, propofol is also recognised as a drug with significant abuse potential.
Misusing propofol can lead to respiratory depression, cardiac arrest, unconsciousness, addiction, and even death if administered without appropriate monitoring.
South Korea classifies propofol as a medical narcotic, making its possession and misuse subject to strict criminal penalties.
Police Investigating Possible Previous Drug Use
Investigators are now trying to determine whether this was an isolated incident or whether the woman has a history of propofol misuse.
Police are reviewing her background and any possible previous access to controlled substances.
Authorities have not released her identity because of ongoing legal proceedings.
Growing Concern Over Medical Narcotics
The case comes as South Korea continues to see rising use of medical narcotics.
According to recent government data released by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Korea Institute of Drug Safety and Risk Management, approximately 20.2 million people—roughly four in every ten South Koreans—received at least one prescription for a medical narcotic during 2025.
Among these, anaesthetic drugs such as propofol accounted for the largest number of patients receiving treatment.
The latest incident has prompted renewed calls for stronger safeguards surrounding the storage, monitoring, and disposal of controlled medications within healthcare facilities.
Experts say even partially used syringes containing residual medication should be disposed of under strict protocols to prevent diversion or misuse.
A Reminder of Healthcare Professionals’ Responsibilities
Cases involving healthcare workers and controlled substances are treated seriously because professionals often have greater access to high-risk medications than members of the public.
Hospitals and clinics are expected to maintain rigorous narcotics management systems that include inventory controls, secure storage, proper disposal procedures, and regular audits.
While this case involved a nurse assistant rather than a licensed registered nurse, it highlights the importance of strict oversight whenever staff members have access to controlled drugs.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police have not indicated whether additional charges may be filed as they continue examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident.
