South Korea, particularly its dynamic capital Seoul, has cemented its place as a global leader in medical tourism, welcoming a record number of international patients in recent years. Fueled by the global influence of K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean beauty standards, the country’s healthcare sector is seeing explosive growth.
According to some of the latest data recently published for 2023, South Korea treated approximately 605,768 foreign patients, a 144.2% increase from the previous year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Seoul alone accounted for over 78% of these visits, making it the epicenter of this healthcare surge.
Dermatology and plastic surgery continue to dominate foreign patient interest. Dermatological treatments led the way, comprising 56.6% of all procedures, or roughly 705,000 treatments. Plastic surgery followed at 11.4%, with procedure volume increasing 24.3% compared to 2022. These figures reflect both the precision of South Korean practitioners and the strong appeal of the country’s beauty culture, amplified globally through its entertainment exports.
While nearby countries like Japan (31%) and China (18.5%) send the largest contingents of patients, the United States now ranks third at 12.7%, highlighting growing Western interest in Korean medical care. Many American and European patients cite the combination of cutting-edge technology, affordable pricing, and a reputation for excellence as key factors behind their decision to travel to Seoul.
This spike in medical travel isn’t just a cultural trend: it’s big business. According to the Imarc Group, South Korea’s medical tourism market reached US$1.9 billion in 2023, and is expected to grow to US$3 billion by 2033, at a compound annual growth rate of 5.13% beginning in 2024.
In response to this rising demand, the Korean government has introduced several initiatives. These include mandatory malpractice insurance for clinics treating foreign patients, tax refund systems for certain cosmetic procedures, and the development of wellness-focused medical clusters in cities like Busan and Incheon. Many clinics also offer multilingual staff, concierge services, and seamless digital appointment systems tailored to international patients.
As South Korea continues to refine its healthcare offerings, Seoul is rapidly becoming one of the most desirable destinations worldwide for cosmetic, dermatological, and high-tech medical treatments, which is a trend that shows no sign of slowing down.