Plastic Surgery in Korea: Medical Tourism Guide
Korea is home to one of the world's most advanced plastic surgery industries. Over 1,000 clinics are concentrated in the Gangnam and Seocho districts of Seoul, and only licensed institutions that pass advance review under Article 56 of the Medical Service Act can operate.
Popular Procedures
Double-eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, facial contouring (orthognathic & cheekbone reduction), breast augmentation, liposuction, and lifting (thread / HIFU) are the most popular procedures. Korean clinics emphasize non-invasive techniques and quick recovery.
Cost Guide
Typical ranges: double-eyelid 1.5–3.5M KRW, rhinoplasty 3–7M KRW, facial contouring 6–15M KRW. All procedures are out-of-pocket; prices vary significantly between clinics, so always request a quote in advance.
Choosing a Clinic
(1) Verify the medical advertising review number (Article 56). (2) Make sure the consulting doctor is the same as the operating surgeon. (3) Confirm an anesthesiologist is on-site. (4) Check the revision and complications policy. (5) Look for clinics registered to serve foreign patients (with interpreters).
Pre-visit Checklist
(1) Verify the medical advertising review number per Article 56 of the Korean Medical Service Act. (2) Confirm the consulting physician is the same as the surgeon. (3) Check that a board-certified anesthesiologist is on-site. (4) Get the side-effect / revision policy in writing. (5) Confirm the clinic is registered to serve foreign patients. (6) Ask which languages interpreters are available in. (7) Get the booking, cancellation, and refund policy in writing. (8) Confirm medical receipts and diagnostic certificates are available. Check all eight points by phone or at the first consultation. CAREMAP only lists clinics verified through Korea's HIRA public dataset.
Budgeting Tips
Out-of-pocket procedure prices vary significantly between clinics. Total cost typically breaks down as [procedure + anesthesia + admission + lab + recovery room]; all should be itemized on the estimate. For medical tourism packages including flight, lodging, and interpretation, total budget is typically 1.3–1.5× the procedure cost. Confirm whether follow-up care (dressing, suture removal) is included. Korean clinics commonly offer installment payment and foreign currency (USD / JPY / CNY) payment is widely supported.
Understanding the Korean Medical System
Korean medical institutions are classified into 3 tiers: clinics (primary care), hospitals (secondary), and general / tertiary hospitals (advanced care). Out-of-pocket cosmetic and plastic surgery is mostly done at primary clinics, while tertiary hospitals focus on serious illness. All institutions operate under Korean Medical Service Act licensing, and any procedure photos or advertising require advance review under Article 56. Foreign patients may stay short-term on a medical visa (C-3-3); stays over 90 days require a medical tourism visa. Foreign-patient-registered institutions are certified by Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare.
FAQ
Can foreigners get plastic surgery in Korea?
Yes. Clinics registered to serve foreign patients offer English, Japanese and Chinese interpretation services. A medical visa (C-3-3) is also available.
What's the recovery time?
Double-eyelid: 1–2 weeks. Rhinoplasty: 2–3 weeks. Facial contouring: 4–6 weeks for swelling and bruising to subside. Plan your travel dates around the procedure's recovery period.