Medical tourism, the act of seeking medical treatment abroad for better value or superior quality compared to what is available domestically, has experienced notable growth in recent times, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
Medical tourism in South Korea has surged alongside the popularity of K-beauty and the Hallyu wave. It has emerged as one of the most sought-after destinations for medical tourism globally, offering excellent treatment alongside outstanding hospitality and cultural immersion. With cutting-edge technology, friendly staff, and modern facilities, it has become the preferred choice for foreign patients seeking excellent medical care at affordable costs.
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Medical tourism in South Korea is attracting patients from all over the world
The number of foreign patients in South Korea has been increasing every year, with a slight decrease during COVID-19. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of international patients reached 248,000 in 2022, a 70% rise compared to 2021.
Additionally, according to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), patients from over 300 countries have been using medical tourism in South Korea. In terms of nationality, China led with 916,000 patients between 2009 and 2022, followed by the USA with 490,000, and Japan with 320,000.
K-culture and price are the top main reasons for choosing South Korea as a medical destination
The reasons for choosing Korea as a medical destination varied according to the nationality. According to KHIDI, Southeast Asian tourists exhibit the strongest inclination towards undergoing treatments influenced by K-culture, with a rate of 69.3%. Following closely are tourists from Japan at 64%, China at 61%, Russia at 53%, and Kazakhstan, along with other countries, at around 20%.
However, visitors from countries like the United States and Canada opt for Korea due to its combination of affordable medical costs and top-tier technology. A famous American Youtuber, Chris, with 134K subscribers, shared his own experience, stating, “In the US, Lasik surgery was too pricey—USD 2,500 to USD 5,000 per eye—so I settled for glasses. But with medical tourism booming, I chose Korea, where Lasik costs about USD 2,000 for both eyes, saving me at least 50%.” Another reason tourists from these countries gave was the minimal waiting times. For instance, while knee reconstruction surgery may entail up to 18 months in the United Kingdom and two years in Canada, the process in Korea typically takes less than a month, representing the longest potential duration.
Many international tourists are choosing plastic surgery, dermatology and dentistry
South Korea also stands out as a top medical destination due to its diverse array of medical services. It offers a comprehensive range of specialties, catering to diverse needs such as integrated internal medicine, plastic surgery, and dermatology. According to Creatrip, a Korean tourism platform, plastic surgery is and continues to be the top choice among tourists visiting South Korea. In addition, there has been a significant increase in dermatology and dentistry services, further solidifying South Korea’s position as a hub for cutting-edge medical treatments and procedures.
Nurilounge: Empowering influencers and clinics in South Korea
Korean clinics have increasingly turned to influencer marketing to attract international patients. Clinics have been showcasing their services and expertise to a global audience by leveraging the reach and credibility of social media influencers. Nurilounge is a platform where a global community of influencers and creators gather in South Korea. It serves as a hub for upcoming K-beauty events, allowing brands and creators with over 1,000 followers to network and create content about products and services.
The number of clinics utilizing this platform has been steadily increasing. These clinics offer various programs tailored for Instagram and TikTok influencers, complete with specific guidelines and details. Each clinic provides free treatments, giveaways, and other benefits in exchange for content featuring specific hashtags and tags.
Creatrip: Facilitating medical tourism with multilingual access and comprehensive service information
Creatrip, available in eight different languages, is another popular platform used by foreigners both within and outside South Korea. Unlike Nurilounge, everyone can access the benefits offered by this platform. All brands, products, and services featured on Creatrip offer various discounts and inform users of current trends.
Clinics promoting their services and products on the platform provide detailed information about the clinic, price, and translation services. Additionally, users can ask questions in the community section and provide honest reviews about the clinic.
The vision for medical tourism in South Korea: Strategies and market opportunities
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea is strategically aiming to position itself as a prominent medical tourism hub in Asia, with a target of attracting approximately 700,000 international patients by 2027. To achieve this goal, four primary strategies have been outlined, including the enhancement of immigration procedures, the dispersion of patient influx across various areas and medical specialties, the enhancement of competitiveness in industries attracting international patients, and the elevation of the global perception of medical services in South Korea. Therefore, the business of attracting international patients holds significant growth prospects due to the increasing global need for medical services. This initiative presents promising market opportunities for businesses.
Medical tourism in South Korea is expanding quickly and offers great commercial and investment prospects
- South Korea is a top destination for medical tourism, driven by factors like K-culture and affordability.
- The number of international patients visiting South Korea is steadily increasing, specifically from United States, China and Japan.
- Different nationalities have varied reasons for choosing South Korea, from K-culture to affordable costs and advanced technology.
- The top three medical services used by international tourists, especially by Asian tourists are plastic surgery, dermatology, and dentistry services.
- Korean clinics leverage influencer marketing and platforms like Nurilounge and Creatrip to attract international patients.
- Government initiatives aim to enhance South Korea’s position as a medical tourism hub, offering growth opportunities for businesses.
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