Siamese Twins from Korea Expected to Be Separated in Singapore

Four-month-old Siamese twin girls, named Min Sa-rang and Ji-hye, from South Korea will undergo operation surgery during this month at the Raffles Hospital in Singapore. The hospital is know as the place where hospitalized the Iranian conjoined twins, who died on July 7 during the surgery to the sorrow of people around the world. It has drawn attention that the Korean twin sisters had developed sincere friendship with the late Iranian twin sisters.

“We are preparing for the surgery since medical staff at the Singaporean hospital delivered a diagnostic view that over 85% of the time both Sa-rang and Ji-hye would survive after the operation”, said Min Seung-jun (34), the father of the twin sisters, who currently resided in Singapore. He also said, “the operation will begin when the children lose slight fever.”

Born on March 4, Sa-rang and Ji-hye were joined at the lower spine by the side. Since they could not lie down on the back, it was highly likely that the spine crook and head-shapes deform.

The sisters have two separate anuses but underdeveloped sphincteral muscles. Therefore, the twin sisters have turned pale from suffering while evacuating after being wean off.

Min and his wife Jang Yoon-gyung (32) used to run PC rooms in Singuil-dong, Seoul before selling their property and borrowing extra money for the operation of the twin daughters. After the party celebrating 100 days of the twin sisters‘ birth, The family took a flight to Singapore on June 14.

“There is a possibility of infection during the procedure since the conjoined part of the twins lead to anuses and digestive organs. Yet, the operation could not wait longer because other parts of the bodies could be hurt”, explained Min. He also said, “it was such a relief that medical staff is optimistic about the upcoming operation.”

Min expressed regret over the failed operation of the Iranian adult twin sisters who stayed next door to his babies‘, saying, “I felt sorry for the Iranian sisters, who had been so nice to my kids and never miss smiling.”

The sisters‘ several operations for separation follow-up treatment for rehabilitation would cost hundreds of millions won. Nevertheless, Min pledged himself that “I will give them the best start for growing healthy at any cost.”

By far, about 20 million won has been donated for the twin sisters through the online community (http://cafe.daum.net/loveinwisdom) with over 10,000 members, those who run PC rooms, and children protection foundations.

Your donation will be appreciated at website (http://www.ilovechild.or.kr) or ARS (060-700-1233)

Sun-Woo Kim sublime@donga.com