Six Cambodian children receive free heart surgery in South Korea

Six Cambodian children with heart conditions have received free surgery and recovery care in South Korea, bringing the number supported through a long-running cross-border medical program to 113.

The children were brought to Bucheon Sejong Hospital, where they were recovering after their operations. The hospital has served as the program’s designated medical provider since its early years, overseeing the process from preliminary examinations in Cambodia to surgery in South Korea.

KB Kookmin Bank, South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service and the Salvation Army have operated the initiative since 2012 to help children whose access to treatment is limited by Cambodia’s medical infrastructure. The partners also expanded local capacity by establishing the KB Kookmin Bank Hebron Heart Center in Cambodia in 2014.

At a hospital gathering on August 24, the six recovering children received school supplies, backpacks and toys. To mark the program’s 15th year, organizers also presented a video following earlier patients who had completed treatment, returned to Cambodia and continued growing up in good health.

The bank has since extended its pediatric heart-care work beyond Cambodia. A 2023 agreement with Samsung Medical Center supports medical care for children with heart conditions from Indonesia.