Definition of Human Organs and Tissues

“Human organs and tissues” are defined under Article 4 of the Act on Organ, Tissue, and Cell Transplantation as “the human internal organs or other tissues that require transplantation to restore lost or failed functions.” This includes the kidney, liver, pancreas, heart, lung, small intestine, pancreatic islet, cornea, bone marrow, peripheral blood, hand, arm, foot, and leg.

Organ Donation

Organ donation refers to the act of voluntarily providing one’s organs or tissues without compensation to restore the function of another person’s organ. Organ donation is classified into three types as follows.

• Brain Death Donation: Donation of organs from a brain-dead individual caused by cerebrovascular disease or traffic accident, upon consent of the family or next of kin.
• Posthumous Donation: Donation of the cornea after death.
• Living Donor Donation: Organ donation between living individuals, including between spouses, direct family members, siblings, relatives within the fourth degree, or unrelated individuals.

Organ Transplantation

Organ transplantation refers to a medical procedure that replaces a patient’s damaged or non-functioning organ with a healthy organ from another person, enabling patients with end-stage organ failure to restore bodily function and sustain life.

Source: Korea National Institute of Organ, Tissue and Blood Management, Ministry of Health and Welfare