Where can I check if a Korean clinic is registered for foreign patients?

On Medical Korea (medicalkorea.or.kr), the official portal run for the Korean government. Search the clinic's name. Registered clinics are listed with their address and departments.

Is every clinic in Gangnam allowed to treat foreigners?

Any licensed clinic can treat a foreigner who walks in. But only registered clinics may actively recruit foreign patients, for example through agencies or overseas marketing. If someone is selling you a package, the clinic should be registered.

How can I tell if the doctor is a plastic surgeon or dermatologist?

In Korea, a clinic whose Korean name ends in the specialty itself (for example 성형외과의원 for plastic surgery or 피부과의원 for dermatology) must be run by a certified specialist in that field. A clinic called simply '의원' (clinic) may list a specialty as a treatment area without the doctor being a specialist. Ask the doctor's name and specialty directly.

What if something goes wrong after I go home?

Ask before you book who to contact after you fly, and get your records in English. Korea also has a public medical dispute mediation agency that foreign patients can use.

Does KBW check clinics for me?

Yes. We only work with clinics we have checked, and we send you the registration details on request before you book.

How to Check a Medical Tourism Clinic's License in Korea (Step by Step)

"How do I know this clinic is real?" is one of the first questions our guests ask, and it is the right one. Korea has a public registration system for clinics that treat foreign patients, and it takes about five minutes to check. Here is how.

Step 1: Get the clinic's exact Korean name

English names are often marketing names. The legal name is in Korean, and the same brand can run several separate clinics with different licenses. Ask the clinic or agency for:

The Korean name (for example, 'OO성형외과의원')
The full address, including floor
The name of the director (대표원장)

If they will not give you these, stop there.

Step 2: Search it on Medical Korea

Medical Korea (medicalkorea.or.kr) is the official medical tourism portal run for the Korean government. It lists hospitals and clinics that are registered as foreign patient medical institutions (외국인환자 유치의료기관).

Open medicalkorea.or.kr and choose English.
Go to the hospital or clinic search.
Search by the clinic name, or filter by area and department.
Check that the name, address and departments match what you were given.

TipSearch both the English name and the Korean name. If nothing comes up, ask the clinic for its registration number and search again.

Why registration matters

Any licensed clinic in Korea can treat a foreigner who walks in on their own. But a clinic that actively recruits foreign patients, through agencies, overseas ads or packages, must register with the government. Registration comes with conditions, including malpractice liability insurance and reporting on foreign patients.

So if someone is selling you a package from abroad, the clinic behind it should be registered. If it is not, you are outside the system that is meant to protect you.

Step 3: Check the doctor's specialty

A specialist sign in Korea means something specific. The Korean name of the clinic tells you a lot:

Korean name ends in	What it means
성형외과의원 (Plastic Surgery Clinic)	Run by a board-certified plastic surgeon
피부과의원 (Dermatology Clinic)	Run by a board-certified dermatologist
안과의원 (Eye Clinic)	Run by a board-certified ophthalmologist
의원 only, with "진료과목: 성형외과"	A clinic that offers plastic surgery as a treatment area. The doctor may or may not be a specialist

This does not make a general clinic unsafe for simple treatments, but for surgery you should know who is operating. Ask:

Who will perform my procedure? What is their specialty?
Will the same doctor see me at follow-ups?
Will an anesthesiologist be present (for general anesthesia)?

Step 4: Get the plan and price in writing

Before you transfer any money, ask for a written plan that states:

The exact procedure and technique
What is included (tests, anesthesia, medicine, follow-ups, stitch removal)
The total price, and whether VAT is included
The cancellation and refund policy

Prices vary by clinic and are confirmed at consultation. A quote that is far below what other registered clinics give for the same plan deserves a question: what is missing?

What about simple skin treatments?

For a facial, a laser toning session or a skin booster, the checks are lighter but still worth doing. Most of our guests' skin treatments are done at dermatology clinics. Check that:

The clinic is a licensed medical clinic, not a beauty salon or spa. Injections and medical lasers must be done at a medical clinic.
A doctor sees you before the treatment, even briefly.
You know the product or device being used, for example the brand of a filler or skin booster.
You are told the price before treatment starts.

Step 5: Pay the clinic, and keep the receipt

Pay the clinic directly and ask for an official receipt in the clinic's name. Be careful with requests to pay a personal account, or to pay the full amount before you have seen a doctor.

Red flags we see

No Korean name, or a name that does not match the address
"Guaranteed" results, or before/after photos sent in chat
Pressure to decide before you have met the surgeon
A different doctor's name at consultation and on the day of surgery
Payment to a personal bank account

What to do if something goes wrong

Ask before you book who you should contact after you fly home, and request your medical records and medication list in English before you leave. Korea has a public agency, the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency, that handles disputes between patients and clinics, including for foreign patients. Keep every receipt, message and document.