{
  "id": 19764282,
  "title": "'Soju should not exist': Surgeon warns of addiction risk from cheap, strong alcohol",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/soju-should-not-exist-surgeon-warns-of-addiction-risk-from-cheap",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-13T06:02:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/health/20261113/soju-should-not-exist-surgeon-warns-of-addiction-risk-from-cheap-strong-alcohol"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A prominent surgeon has cautioned against the existence of soju, a cheap and potent Korean alcoholic beverage, citing its potential to contribute to addiction. Surgeon Lee Jun-suh, a specialist in liver and pancreatic diseases, shared his concerns on YouTube, asserting that soju's affordability and high alcohol content make it especially dangerous. Gastroenterologist Kim Tae-kyun echoed these worries, questioning whether soju should be classified more as a drug than an ordinary alcoholic drink. Lee emphasized the ease with which this type of alcohol is accessible, noting that the prevalence of such low-cost high-alcohol beverages exacerbates the risk of addiction. Personal experience played a significant role in Lee's perspective; despite being a practicing surgeon and overcoming his own battle with alcoholism, he once downplayed the gravity of his addiction, even as he treated patients in critical condition.",
  "summary": "com. A practicing surgeon has issued a strong warning about the dangers of soju — a popular traditional Korean alcohol that is now mass manufactured — drawing on his own experience of severe alcohol addiction. Lee Jun-suh, a hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon, appeared on the YouTube channel Doctor Dinho on Tuesday and said, \"Soju is a drink that should not…",
  "key_points": [
    "Surgeon Lee Jun-suh warns soju's affordability and high alcohol content make it dangerous.",
    "Gastroenterologist Kim Tae-kyun questions if soju should be classified as a drug.",
    "Lee's personal battle with alcoholism informs his cautionary stance on soju."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The affordability and potency of soju create a dangerous accessibility that elevates the beverage from a common drink to a significant driver of widespread alcohol addiction.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}