Find Medical in South Korea

Updated September 2026. Prices in this guide come from the starting prices clinics list with us, converted to US dollars. Each range runs from the lower quarter to the upper quarter of those listings, so the cheapest and most expensive outliers are left out.

South Korea is best known for facial cosmetic surgery. Seoul's Gangnam district has one of the densest concentrations of plastic surgery clinics anywhere, specialising in double eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty and facial contouring, alongside skin and dermatology clinics offering the latest laser and aesthetic treatments. Behind that reputation sits a highly advanced hospital system: large university hospitals in Seoul treat international patients for cancer, heart disease, spine and joint problems, and comprehensive health screening. Patients come mainly from elsewhere in Asia, and increasingly from the Middle East, Europe and North America. We list 112 clinics and hospitals in South Korea, 93 of them in Seoul.

What treatment costs in South Korea

Most Korean cosmetic clinics quote only after a consultation, often by video, so we do not show typical cosmetic prices here. The hospital prices below are the starting prices listed, in US dollars. Most come from one large hospital, listed under several of its departments, so the ranges are narrow and the count of clinics overstates the choice. Ask several hospitals for a quote.

Treatment	Typical starting price	Clinics listing a price
Knee replacement	$10,550 to $12,800	18
Hip replacement	$14,050 to $17,050	18
Shoulder replacement	$6,150 to $7,500	17
Spinal fusion	$8,800 to $10,650	15
Coronary angioplasty	$7,050 to $8,550	16
Heart bypass surgery (CABG)	$30,850 to $37,250	16
Pacemaker implantation	$20,150 to $24,550	15
Cancer screening	$2,200 to $4,300	17
Cardiac assessment	$440 to $530	16
Colonoscopy	$260 to $320	16
Gastroscopy	$130 to $160	15

For cosmetic surgery, compare quotes from several clinics for rhinoplasty, facelifts and breast augmentation, and ask exactly what each includes.

Where to go in South Korea

City	Clinics listed	Known for
Seoul	93	Almost everything: the Gangnam cosmetic surgery and dermatology clinics and the largest university hospitals. Browse dentistry, cosmetic surgery.
Bundang	10	A satellite city south of Seoul, home to Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Browse dentistry, cosmetic surgery.
Incheon	3	The city of Korea's main international airport. Browse dentistry, cosmetic surgery.

Accredited hospitals

Several Korean hospitals and clinics hold Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. Among those listed with us:

Severance Hospital, Seoul (JCI)
Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul (JCI)
The LINE Plastic Surgery, Seoul (JCI)
BalGeunSeSang Eye Clinic, Seoul (JCI)
MizMedi Women's Hospital, Seoul (JCI)
Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, Seoul (JCI)

Other large hospitals listed with us include Asan Medical Center in Seoul and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. The Ministry of Health and Welfare registers facilities that treat foreign patients: ask the clinic whether it is registered, and check that your surgeon is a board-certified specialist in the procedure, not only a general doctor working in a cosmetic clinic.

Planning your trip

Entry. Many nationalities can visit South Korea without a visa for a short stay; check the current rules for your passport.
Getting there. Incheon International Airport has direct flights across Asia and to Europe, the Middle East and North America, and is about an hour from central Seoul.
Language. Large hospitals and many cosmetic clinics have international patient teams with interpreters. Get the consent form and aftercare instructions in a language you read well.
How long to stay. Allow at least a week to ten days for facial surgery, as stitches come out and swelling settles before you fly.

See our guides to checks and questions to ask a clinic abroad and aftercare, insurance and paying for treatment abroad before you book.

Frequently asked questions

What is South Korea best known for in medical tourism?

Facial cosmetic surgery, particularly double eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty and facial contouring, followed by dermatology and skin treatments, health screening and complex hospital care such as cancer and heart treatment.

Is plastic surgery in Korea safe?

Korea has many highly skilled plastic surgeons, but the busiest clinics handle large volumes. Confirm who will actually operate, that they are a certified plastic surgeon, and that the clinic can transfer you to a hospital if needed.

Do I need to speak Korean?

No. Most clinics and hospitals that treat international patients provide English-speaking coordinators or interpreters, and many also cover Chinese, Japanese, Russian or Arabic.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Prices change and are set by each clinic; confirm the current price and what it includes with the clinic before you book.