The #1 Country for Health Checkups in Korea? The U.S.

When you think of medical travel to Korea, you might picture plastic surgery or skincare. But here’s the surprise: when it comes to full health checkups, Americans are the largest group of international visitors — by a wide margin.

For 16 years, health checkups have been one of Korea’s most sought-after services for international visitors — loved for their speed, thoroughness, and unbeatable value.

Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea

A Long-Standing Bestseller

While dermatology has surged in popularity recently, health checkups remain Korea's all-time hit for medical tourists. From 2009 to 2025, the number of medical tourists coming for health checkups grew more than sevenfold, reaching a record 65,228 — 20% above the pre-pandemic 2019 peak and proving that prevention is a global priority. In 2025 alone, visits jumped 17% year-over-year.

Americans Lead the Way

In 2025, the U.S. ranked #1 for the second straight year, with 15,696 medical tourists receiving health checkups in Korea — a 33% jump from 2024 and more than China (8,916) and Russia (3,114) combined. Russia shares a border with Korea, and China's major cities are within four hours. The U.S.? 10–15 hours away, yet still on top — and growing faster than any other country — thanks to world-class quality, same-day results, and prices far below U.S. levels.

Have questions about health checkups in Korea?

If you'd like to know more — about specific clinics, pricing, or what to expect — Himedi is here to help. Get in touch.