A U.S. heart and thoracic surgeon has drawn attention for saying alcohol is something he will never consume. The warning came as South Korea’s drinking culture again came under scrutiny, with recent data showing high rates of monthly binge drinking and rising alcohol use among women and older men.
Dr. Jeremy London, a cardiovascular surgeon based in Savannah, Georgia, said damaged health does not happen overnight but builds over time. He said poor eating habits and other unhealthy choices can eventually send a person to his operating room.
London was especially blunt about alcohol, calling it toxic to every cell in the body and saying even small amounts can be harmful. His comments echo the position of the World Health Organization, which classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, alongside substances such as asbestos, tobacco and radiation.
The article also cited South Korea’s 2025 Community Health Survey and OECD data showing the country’s monthly binge drinking rate remains above the OECD average. Against that backdrop, the surgeon’s message was simple: long-term health is shaped by daily choices, and alcohol is one he refuses to make.
