Health Checkups Become a Key Part of Korea’s Medical Tourism

A woman in her 50s from Kazakhstan visited Korea for tourism and, at the recommendation of an acquaintance, underwent a health screening at Severance Hospital’s Seoul Station Center. Although she had experienced no noticeable symptoms, the screening unexpectedly detected stomach cancer.

In Kazakhstan, access to medical services can be limited, and gastroscopy is not included in the national health screening program. As a result, stomach cancer may sometimes remain undetected until it has progressed significantly. In her case, the disease was discovered during a health screening in Korea, and she was subsequently connected with the hospital for treatment. Satisfied with Korea’s healthcare system, she later brought her spouse and children to Korea for health screenings as well.

A U.S. man in his 40s also recently underwent a comprehensive health screening at Seoul National University Hospital’s Healthcare System Gangnam Center while visiting an acquaintance in Korea. His examinations, including basic tests such as blood work as well as more advanced examinations such as endoscopy, CT scans and ultrasound, cost approximately KRW 2.5 million.

He explained that medical examinations in the United States tend to be performed for treatment purposes, meaning patients often need a medical indication before undergoing even relatively simple tests. Waiting periods can also stretch for months. Costs vary significantly by hospital, but an endoscopy alone can sometimes cost more than KRW 1–2 million, making preventive examinations difficult for many people. By comparison, he found Korea attractive because examinations can be more affordable even after taking airfare into account, while results are also available quickly.

The number of international patients traveling to Korea specifically for health screenings has risen rapidly in recent years.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea received 2,011,822 international patients in 2025, exceeding two million for the first time. This was more than triple the approximately 610,000 recorded in 2023.

Among them, 65,228 international patients visited Korea for health screenings, representing 3.1% of the total. Health screening was the fourth-largest area of medical care for international patients, following dermatology, plastic surgery and internal medicine.

Among Korea’s major general hospitals, Severance Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital and Samsung Medical Center are among the institutions frequently visited by international patients for health screenings.

In 2025, approximately 2,290 international patients visited Severance Hospital’s Seoul Station Center for health screenings. Seoul National University Hospital’s Gangnam Center and Samsung Medical Center’s Center for Health Promotion each received approximately 2,200 international patients, while around 2,000 visited Asan Medical Center’s Health Screening and Promotion Center.

Severance Hospital provides interpretation services in languages including English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Mongolian for international patients undergoing health screenings. Screening results are also available in English.

One of the advantages is that consultations and screening results can be arranged relatively quickly in consideration of patients’ departure schedules. When cancer or other abnormalities are detected during a screening, patients can be promptly connected with the hospital to begin further evaluation or treatment.

International patients receiving screenings at Severance Hospital primarily come from the United States, which accounts for more than 30%, followed by Kazakhstan at more than 20%, as well as Russia, Canada and Mongolia.

Seoul National University Hospital also has dedicated coordinators who speak English, Russian and Chinese. They support international patients throughout the entire process, from reservations and guidance on the day of the screening to consultations on their results. Screening reports are also provided in English.

Most screenings begin in the morning and finish around noon, taking approximately half a day, with results generally available within one to two weeks.

By nationality, approximately 1,600 international patients using SNU Hospital’s health screening center came from the United States and Canada. Around 200 came from Russia and other CIS countries, including approximately 140 from Kazakhstan; around 100 came from China; and approximately 300 came from other countries.

Samsung Medical Center’s Center for Health Promotion also has dedicated English-speaking staff for international patients, while personnel from its international cooperation team provide assistance to patients from countries including Kazakhstan and Russia.

Its website is available in English, Chinese and Russian, and health screening results can be provided in various languages according to individual patient needs.

Asan Medical Center provides interpretation services in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, Russian, Mongolian and Arabic. Screening reports are also available in patients’ own languages. Before leaving Korea, international patients can receive face-to-face explanations from medical professionals regarding their results and any abnormal findings at the International Healthcare Center with interpretation support.

The increasing number of international patients traveling to Korea for health screenings also reflects a broader shift in healthcare awareness from treatment toward prevention.

Dedicated coordinators at hospitals make communication easier, while efficient screening processes and the opportunity to discuss results with medical professionals at leading university hospitals are additional advantages.

Relatively affordable screening costs, high-quality medical services, shorter waiting times, rapid results, comfortable medical environments and convenient accessibility are also considered factors behind the growing demand.

Jung Hye-won, Vice Director of Severance Health Check-up and a professor of health medicine, explained that one of Korea’s strengths is its systematic healthcare system, which allows patients to undergo sophisticated examinations such as endoscopy, ultrasound, CT and MRI in a one-stop process, often on the same day.

She also pointed to Korea’s highly qualified medical professionals, rapid and detailed screenings, consultations on examination results, and the ability to connect patients directly with hospital treatment when necessary.

She added that growing interest in “longevity” — maintaining health and vitality for as long as possible — is contributing to increased demand for health screenings and preventive examinations before illness develops.

In many countries, she noted, people traditionally visit hospitals after symptoms appear in order to determine whether they have a disease. More recently, however, awareness has grown that prevention and early intervention are important even in the absence of symptoms, particularly for cardiovascular disease, cancer and metabolic disorders.

An official from Seoul National University Hospital explained that Korea offers international patients the advantage of receiving detailed health examinations within a relatively short period of time, supported by advanced medical technologies and specialized medical professionals.

The official also noted that SNU Hospital’s Gangnam Center operates a screening system involving Seoul National University Hospital faculty members as well as a one-stop examination system, which has contributed to its popularity among international patients.

International patients also report high levels of satisfaction with Korean medical services.

According to a Korea Health Industry Development Institute survey of international patients who received medical care in Korea in 2023, overall satisfaction with Korean medical services reached 90.2 points. Satisfaction was particularly high in areas such as interpretation services and physicians’ expertise in diagnosis and treatment.

Patterns of medical service use also differ by nationality. In particular, U.S. patients are more likely to use health screening, second-opinion examinations and preventive healthcare services, compared with Japanese patients, many of whom visit Korea for plastic surgery and dermatological services.

A healthcare industry official explained that inquiries and demand from international patients are continuing to rise because appointments can be arranged quickly and comprehensive one-stop health screenings can be provided at prices that are often lower than in patients’ home countries.

The official also noted that some examinations, such as CT scans, can provide results on the same day, while results from blood tests and many other examinations are generally available within a week, contributing to high patient satisfaction.

Source: NEWSIS, August 29, 2026