5 Reasons Why Korea is the World’s #1 Medical Tourism Destination

Global Surge: 1.17 Million Foreign Patients Chose Korea in 2024

South Korea has solidified its position as the world’s premier medical tourism destination. According to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), more than 1.17 million foreign patients visited Korea in 2024, more than double the 497,000 visitors in 2019 before the pandemic. This unprecedented surge underscores Korea’s resilience and rapid recovery, reaffirming its role as a trusted global healthcare hub.

While advanced hospitals and skilled specialists are central to Korea’s rise, its appeal is also driven by safety, affordability, and cultural influence. Below are five reasons why Korea is now considered the world’s #1 medical tourism destination.

Seoul as a Destination in Itself

Seoul consistently ranks among the world’s safest major cities (Numbeo Safety Index, 2024). With Incheon International Airport—one of the busiest and most efficient airports globally—and Korea’s high-speed rail (KTX), international patients enjoy seamless connectivity and convenience. Visitors often highlight the country’s cleanliness, orderliness, and civic-minded culture, which create a welcoming environment for tourists.

Beyond infrastructure, Korea’s soft cultural power further elevates its appeal. The global popularity of K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, and K-food makes Korea not only a medical hub but also a highly attractive travel destination. Since the pandemic, trips to Korea increasingly combine leisure and healthcare, reflecting a major shift in traveler behavior.

From Affordable Botox to Lifesaving Surgeries

Global Leadership in K-Beauty

Korea’s cosmetic and aesthetic sector has long captured international attention.

A 2018 study in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery revealed that one in three Korean women in their 20s had undergone cosmetic surgery.
In 2024, South Korea attracted 1.17 million foreign patients, of which 57% visited dermatology clinics and 11% received plastic surgery, highlighting the dominant role of aesthetic care in driving medical tourism.
Foreign patients visit not only for conventional procedures but also for innovative treatments such as stem-cell-based skin regeneration and “salmon DNA” therapy.

The World’s #1 Checkup Destination

South Korea is globally recognized as the leader in comprehensive health check-ups. In 2024, more American medical tourists visited Korea for health checkups (11,780) than for plastic surgery (11,250). Many patients travel specifically for “enhanced checkup” programs, which include whole-body MRI, advanced blood marker testing, and endoscopy. Preventive medicine is deeply embedded in Korean healthcare culture, ensuring early detection at a fraction of Western costs.

Life-Saving Outcomes, Trusted Worldwide

Korea is home to multiple hospitals ranked in the Newsweek World’s Best Hospitals Top 250, including Seoul National University Hospital, Asan Medical Center, and Samsung Medical Center. These institutions are renowned for excellence in oncology, transplantation, and advanced surgeries.

Cancer survival rates are among the highest in the world. Korea’s five-year survival rate for breast cancer exceeds 93%, compared to the U.S. average of 90%, while thyroid cancer survival approaches 100%.
Transplant success rates are equally impressive: kidney transplantation at 94% and liver transplantation at 75%.
In 2024, Americans—who are regarded as having the most advanced cancer treatment technology—accounted for 29% of the 59,167 foreign patients treated at Korea’s advanced general hospitals, the highest share among all countries.

This unique combination of life-saving disease treatment, world-class preventive medicine, and cutting-edge beauty procedures makes Korea unmatched in the diversity of its medical offerings.

Advanced Technology & Regulation

South Korea is a global leader in advanced medicine, supported by a strong legal and regulatory framework. The Act on the Safety of and Support for Advanced Regenerative Medicine and Advanced Biological Products (2020) — commonly referred to as the “Advanced Regenerative Medicine Act” (첨단재생의료법) — requires strict long-term safety monitoring for patients and certifies leading hospitals and research centers to conduct regenerative medicine studies.

By the end of 2024, 93 institutions had been certified and 38 clinical applications approved. In 2025, access expanded further, allowing patients with serious or rare diseases to try advanced cell and gene therapies under close supervision.

This system has accelerated the use of stem cell therapies, regenerative dermatology, and advanced biopharmaceuticals, placing Korea ahead of many Western countries. For Himedi’s U.S. clients, stem cell treatments are the second most requested service—right after health checkups.

High Quality at Affordable Prices

Korea offers a rare combination of world-class outcomes with significant cost savings.

Cosmetic procedures: Alongside Thailand, Korea provides some of the most affordable yet advanced aesthetic treatments in Asia. Botox, fillers, and laser therapies are priced at a fraction of U.S. or European levels.
Disease treatment: Cancer therapies, surgeries, and imaging are typically 30–80% cheaper than in the United States.

By maintaining global-quality standards while offering dramatic cost advantages, Korea delivers one of the strongest value propositions in global healthcare.

Speed Matters

Efficiency is one of the defining strengths of Korea’s healthcare system.

Korea does not publish national wait-time data, but capacity speaks for itself: 12.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people (OECD avg: 4.3) and 35 MRI scanners per million (OECD avg: 18). With abundant specialists and resources, waits are dramatically shorter.

Himedi’s booking data reflects this: comprehensive checkups and dermatology treatments are often available the very next day. A half-day at a checkup center can cover dozens of tests, and American medical tourists receive five or more treatments in a single dermatology visit.

Conclusion

While Asian medical tourists have traditionally driven Korea’s growth, there is now a rapid surge in medical tourists from North America—despite flight times of over 10 hours. Korea’s world-class medical expertise, affordable pricing, and time efficiency allow these travelers to maximize their stay by accessing a wide range of treatments in a single trip.

Himedi, as a premium concierge service, makes it effortless for English-speaking clients to plan and experience Korea’s medical tourism with comfort and confidence.

Plan your checkup with Himedi.com

Written by Himedi Inc.

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