SEOUL — South Korean hospitals and clinics have reported a significant increase in the number of international patients seeking plastic surgery and skincare services since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report released by the government on October 8.
In 2023, approximately 239,060 foreign patients received dermatological treatments, while 114,074 sought plastic surgery. Together, these groups represented nearly 52 percent of the total 678,799 foreign nationals who utilized medical services at South Korean facilities this year.
The data, presented by the Health Ministry to Nam In-soon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, highlights a notable trend in medical tourism focused on beauty care.
Notably, the number of foreign patients undergoing plastic surgery has surged by 26 percent since 2019, climbing from 90,494 to 114,074. Similarly, the demand for dermatological treatments has tripled during the same period, increasing from 85,194 to 239,060 patients.
In addition to beauty care, international visitors are also seeking dental, ophthalmological, and orthopedic treatments in South Korea.
However, Nam expressed concerns regarding the growing emphasis on beauty care tourism, suggesting that it could lead to a decline in the overall quality of healthcare services. “We need to achieve balanced growth in various medical specialties, such as treatments for serious illnesses, to enhance the country’s international competitiveness in a diverse range of medical fields and attract foreign patients,” Nam stated.
This increase in foreign medical tourism underscores South Korea’s position as a leading destination for beauty and wellness treatments, yet it also raises questions about the need for a broader focus on the quality of healthcare across all specialties.
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