Not just Seoul: foreign patients in Busan and Jeju more than doubled
When people think of Korean medical tourism, Seoul, and especially Gangnam, still comes to mind first. The Ministry of Health and Welfare's numbers back that up: in 2025, 87.2% of foreign patients went to Seoul.
But the same announcement has an interesting detail: Busan grew 151.5% and Jeju 114.7% year on year. Both more than doubled.
Things to consider as a traveller:
- Busan and Jeju are popular destinations anyway, so it's easier to combine with sightseeing
- There may be fewer options than in Seoul, so research ahead matters even more
- The checks are the same anywhere: registration for foreign patients, whether the person consulting you is a doctor, and what the quote covers
If you have a procedure outside Seoul, also plan for a possible follow-up visit before you fly home and how to get in touch if something comes up. Whether a procedure suits you is always a question for a doctor.
Has anyone looked into skin care in Busan or Jeju instead of Seoul? What felt different?
Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare — Foreign patients pass 2 million in 2025
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