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The number of organ donations in Korea has been declining in recent years despite increased awareness, while the number of patients on transplant waiting lists continues to rise, according to the latest data.

Experts point out that although societal attitudes toward organ donation are generally favorable, there is still a lack of personal commitment, and opportunities for donating organs are not readily accessible.

Min Yoon-ki, a 48-year-old kidney transplant recipient, says his life was completely transformed after surgery.

Before the transplant, everyday activities such as eating, drinking water, and attending school were challenging for Min due to the need for regular hemodialysis to manage his kidney disease. After a decade of struggling with the illness, Min finally received a transplant, which allowed him to resume his studies and pursue his dream of becoming a civil servant.

He shared his story with the Korean Organ Donor Program (KODP), expressing hope that others battling similar illnesses will have the chance to start a new life through organ donation.

However, stories like Min's are rare, as the number of organ donors has remained stagnant for years, leaving many patients still waiting for a chance at a new life.

According to data from KODP, organ donor registrations have not exceeded 90,000 annually since reaching 100,000 in 2014, with the exception of 2019.

In particular, the number of brain-dead organ donors — essential for actual transplants — was 483 last year and has not exceeded 400 in the past six years.

This year has seen a continued decline. In the first half, 37,820 people registered as organ donors, down by 2,200 from the 40,065 registrations during the same period last year, marking a 5.6 percent decrease.

Meanwhile, the number of patients waiting for transplants continues to rise sharply.

The waiting list has grown from 24,607 people in 2014 to 52,000 as of June this year, with kidney transplants making up the majority. Sixty-five percent of those on the waiting list, or 34,254 people, are hoping for a kidney transplant.

The Korea Organ Donation Agency (KODA) underscored the critical imbalance in organ donation, revealing that as of 2023, around 43,000 people were on the waitlist for life-saving solid organ transplants, while only 483 brain-dead donors were available — a nearly 100-fold gap.

The widening gap between donors and recipients has tragic consequences. Over 3,000 people, an average of eight people a day, die each year while waiting for a transplant.

Korea's organ donation culture also lags behind international standards. As of the end of 2023, only 1.78 million people in Korea had registered as organ donors, accounting for just 3.44 percent of the population.

Korea's rate of brain-dead organ donors per million people was 9.37 last year, a stark contrast to countries like the United States, which reported 48.04, and Spain, with 49.38.

Experts emphasized that while awareness has increased, further progress is required.

Lee Sam-yeol, director of KODA, urged a collaborative effort among individuals, the government, and medical institutions to revitalize the organ donation culture.

"Legal foundations, systemic improvements and a broader donation culture are all essential," he said.

Lee highlighted the importance of improving awareness and accessibility, drawing comparisons with the U.S. and U.K., where 55 percent and 39 percent of people, respectively, register as organ donors through driver's license systems.

"Compared to Korea's participation rate, which is only 4.5 percent, incorporating organ donation registration into the driver's license issuance process can be an effective strategy to increase public interest and participation in life-saving donations," he suggested.

Kim Dong-yeop, executive director of KODP, echoed the need for greater awareness and recognition of organ donation.

He acknowledged that while societal views on organ donation have become more positive, there remains a gap in personal commitment.

"Family consent is crucial for organ donation, and we need to cultivate a culture where individuals regularly discuss their organ donation wishes with their family members."