Squid Game and Korean Law (3) – Waiving Physical Rights and Organ Sales

There are many shocking scenes in Squid Game, but most frightening might be that Kihun signed the agreement to waive his physical rights in case he fails to pay the debt forced by the cruel debt collectors and the doctor harvested organs from the dead (or soon to be dead) players. Then you might have wondered if agreement on waiving physical rights would be legally valid and human organs may be traded lawfully.

Source of the image : Netflix Official Site

I would clarify that a clause on waiving physical rights shall be null and void. Article 103 of Korean Civil Act states, “a juristic act which has for its object such matters as are contrary to good morals and other social order shall be null and void”. Therefore, even though he signed the agreement to promise that he would waive his physical rights if he fails to pay the debt, Kihun won’t have to give a part of his body to the debt collectors. Additionally, forcing or threatening a person to sign the agreement of waiving physical rights shall be intimidation or coercion based on Korean Criminal Act.

You must have been terrified to see that the doctor harvested from the players with his bloody hands and the workers tried to move the harvested organs to sell them. Korean Internal Organs, Etc. Transplant Act prohibits trading organs and the person who violates this Article shall be heavily punished based on the Act.