The Ultimate Guide to Doctors in Greater Seoul Area

Are you thinking about undertaking Plastic Surgery in Seoul? Read on to discover everything you need to know about Seoul, and what the city has to offer you, in terms of being the ideal location for medical tourism.

Seoul – In Brief…

Seoul is the capital of South Korea. It is an exciting city that is a fascinating mix of modern culture and traditional Korean lifestyle. Visitors can lose themselves in the ancient surroundings of temples, palaces and historical sites of long-gone eras, or enjoy the more contemporary delights of the many amusement parks, science centers and aquariums, or upscale districts like Gangnam.

Although there has been considerable Chinese and Japanese influences through the ages, Seoul has maintained its’ ancient customs and traditions and remained true to itself. For anybody visiting Seoul for the first time, it will be glaringly apparent that the city is steeped in culture and history.

Although being the most densely populated city on the planet, Seoul rarely feels overcrowded but instead radiates a more intimate atmosphere where there is always something to do or somewhere to explore, making the city the ideal backdrop against which to plan your cosmetic surgery.

Where is Seoul?

Seoul is the capital city of South Korea, which is located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. It is the largest metropolis in the country and the fifteenth largest city in the world. Situated on the banks of the Han river, Seoul provides a unique blend of both traditional Asian heritage and ultra-modern urban lifestyle.

Why choose Seoul for Plastic Surgery?

Cost:

Many prospective patients feel unable to undertake the plastic surgery procedures of their dreams as the cost of the treatment can be quite prohibitive. By choosing to undergo surgery in Seoul, however, it is possible to save between 60% to 80% compared to domestic prices back home.

Medical Facilities:

The medical facilities in Seoul are second to none as the South Korean government has invested huge sums of money over the past few decades to ensure that their clinics and hospitals are of the very highest standard. You can rest assured that you will receive first-class treatment delivered within the comfort of modern, high-tech surroundings.

Doctor Training and Qualifications:

You can have the confidence that your treatment will be every bit as good, if not better, than you would expect to receive back home. Doctors are well-trained and must adhere to a strict training programme that involves attending conferences, lectures and workshops on an annual basis to ensure that the very latest medical advances are being utilised.

Tourist Locations for pre and post-op recovery:

Seoul is the capital of South Korea, and is an eclectic mix of both ultra-modern, high-rise city architecture, and traditional Buddhist palaces, temples and local markets. From the contemporary Dongdaemun Design Plaza, to the more traditional Gyeongbokgung Palace or Jogyesa Temple (the home of the ancient locust and pine trees), everyone can find their ideal surroundings in which to recuperate after undergoing their surgery.

(Image by: Kanchi1979)

Where to stay in Seoul?

Seoul offers a whole spectrum of accommodation possibilities, depending upon your individual budget and preferred lifestyle. From the traditional backpacking districts of Jongo and Hongdae, to the inner-city comforts of Seoul’s top-end hotel resorts, such as the Grand Hyatt Seoul or the Imperial Palace Hotel, there is something to suit every pocket and lifestyle.

Motels and homestay services are also a viable option, with many establishments offering a good quality alternative to booking in with one of the larger hotel chains. Since the World Cup in 2002, many families have opened up their homes to foreign visitors and can offer a friendly, family-oriented experience that includes an evening meal or breakfast as part of your stay.

Is it safe?

In Seoul, the crime rate is very low, even for a major city. And from an international standpoint, there is also a low threat of terrorism. Of the thousands of people that visit Seoul each year, the vast majority enjoy stays that pass by without any negative experiences.

You are under no more threat of becoming a major victim of crime in Seoul as you would be in any major city back home. By taking the same precautions as you would in any strange town or city back home, your stay in Seoul should be equally as safe and uneventful as any domestic vacation.

How can I be sure the quality of care is the same as back home?

The growth in popularity of medical tourism in Seoul, over the past two or three decades, can be attributed to the country’s investment in developing modern, 21st century facilities combined with internationally-trained staff able to deliver the most cutting-edge treatments available anywhere on the planet. Many hospitals now have english-speaking personnel manning international patient departments that cater for the growing medical tourism industry.

To ensure the growth of medical tourism in South Korea, it is a stipulation of The Korean Medical Association (KMA) that every doctor registered with them must complete a minimum of twelve training credits every year to ensure that all of their operatives are aware, and adhering to, the latest global developments and procedures. The KMA also insist that all of their members have international accreditations before they can be employed at any of their medical facilities.

Seoul is at the forefront of this movement and, at Medical Departures, we have scores of quality-checked clinics on our website, based in Seoul, that can offer you the very best plastic surgery treatments available. We have carried out background checks to ensure that all qualifications, experience and professional memberships are legitimate. All of this information is available on our website, along with details of site visits that we have carried out and testimonies from existing patients, all of which is available free-of-charge to help you make the right choice of clinic to book your surgery with.

Do plastic surgeons in Seoul speak English?

Yes. It is a standard requirement for Korean children to study English lessons as part of their educational curriculum. Therefore, almost all employees within the sphere of customer service are able to speak some English.

This is especially true within the medical profession, as medical tourism is a major contributor to the South Korean economy. The government have made massive investments to ensure that foreign patients will feel comfortable and confident when coming to South Korea for their medical treatment, so there are no communication issues at all when it comes to dealing with your chosen surgeon in Seoul.

What payment methods are accepted in Seoul?

The main currency in Seoul is the won. When paying for services, cash is obviously the most widely accepted method of payment. When it comes to withdrawing cash, ensure that you use a foreign bank ATM (eg. Citibank), as many local machines will not accept foreign cash cards. There are Global ATMs available, and if the cash machine you try to use has a “Foreign Cards” button, then making a withdrawal should not be a problem. Credit cards are generally accepted everywhere, with the exception of some smaller eating establishments or cheap motels that may not be able to facilitate Visa or Mastercard.

When is the best time to visit a plastic surgeon in Seoul?

You can book your surgical treatment pretty much any time of the year. However, you may want to consider the local climate before you make a final decision. Seoul is generally classified as having a humid continental climate. Summers tend to be hot and humid, and the East Asian monsoon season generally occurs between June and September. August is traditionally the hottest month and often has an average temperature as high as 29.6 °C (85 °F) .

Winters tend to be cold to freezing, with average temperatures in January being as low as -5.9°C (21.4°F), although the weather tends to be drier than in the summer with, on average, only 28 days of snowfall.

(Image by: travel oriented)

What is the downside? What should I know about visiting?

Although Seoul, like anywhere else, has four distinct weather seasons each calendar year, there has been a shift in the duration as to how long each season lasts. Winter temperatures have been dropping consistently over recent years, whilst the summer temperatures are getting increasingly hotter. This has resulted in the spring and autumn seasons being restricted to as little as one month each year.

Korean culture can also appear slightly alien when compared to Western traditions. In Korean culture, there is a massive emphasis on respecting one’s elders which can, to outsiders, make local elders seem a little rude or arrogant as their opinions or desires are rarely challenged.

What else is there in Seoul?

There are many places to visit in Seoul, ranging from traditional sightseeing places of interest, to contemporary shopping and nightlife hotspots. Some places worthy of consideration during your stay are:

• Gyeongbokgung Palace
• Myeongdong shopping district
• N Seoul Tower - for unrivalled panoramic views of the city
• Dongdaemun - Korea’s largest wholesale and retail shopping district
• Bukchon Hanok Village
• Changdeokgung Palace
• Insadong - traditional Korean culture and crafts
• Itaewon - modern, “specialist” tourism district filled with bars, clubs, restaurants and shops
• Jongmyo Shrine - the oldest and most authentic royal shrine in South Korea
• Everland - South Korea’s largest theme park
• Lotte World - the world’s largest indoor theme park

Traveling to Seoul

By plane:

Most international flights will touch down at Incheon International Airport, which is situated on Yeongjong Island. The airport is approximately one hour from Seoul.

Gimpo Airport is closer to Seoul, but this older airport mainly offers shuttle services to Tokyo, Osaka, Taipei, Shanghai and Beijing, although domestic flights to other South Korean destinations are also available.

By train:

There are three train stations in Seoul, all offering various services from and to other domestic locations throughout South Korea:

Seoul Station for services to Suwon, Cheonan/Asan, Daejeon, Daegu, Ulsan, Kyeongju and Busan
Yongsan Station for services to Cheonan/Asan, Gwangju, Mokpo, and Daejeon
Youngdeungpo for services to southern destinations

By bus:

The bus services in Seoul are regular and plentiful. Travelling around the city and to other South Korean destinations is relatively comfortable and convenient as there are five major bus terminals within Seoul: Central City Terminal, Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, Seoul Express Bus Terminal, Nambu Bus Terminal and Sinchon Bus Terminal.

By boat:

The city port of Incheon is the only port that services the city of Seoul. There are ferry services available from here to various destinations in China only.

By car:

There are national highways and tolled expressways evident throughout South Korea, making access to and from Seoul reasonably straightforward by car.

Visa Requirements

You can travel to South Korea for up to 90 days without a visa if you’re a national of the United States, UK, most of the European Union, Australia and New Zealand. Canadians can stay for up to 6 months.

Flight times:

USA to Seoul: 12 hours 30 mins to 14 hours
Canada to Seoul: 13 to 14 hours
UK to Seoul: 11 hours 30 mins
Australia to Seoul: 9 to 11 hours
New Zealand to Seoul: 12 to 14 hours

What now?

Search your options with Medical Departures’ quality-checked clinics.

Ready to book. See below for ways to arrange an appointment or get in touch with our Customer Care Team to discuss plastic surgery in Seoul.

(Main image by: Tylerdurden1)