Medical Care System
Korean hospitals and clinics are generally well-equipped with modern medical technology. Many institutions now offer services tailored to foreign patients, including interpretation services.
Three Levels of Care
- Primary Care — Public health centers and community health centers for general diagnostics
- Secondary Care — Hospitals with 4+ departments and 30–500 beds
- Tertiary Care — General/university hospitals with 500+ beds and specialists in all fields
To see a specialist at a tertiary hospital, you need a referral from a primary or secondary institution. Without one, the initial consultation fee is much higher.
Major International Healthcare Centers
The following hospitals operate international clinics with multilingual staff (English, Chinese, Japanese, and more):
- Seoul National University Hospital — 82-2-2072-0505
- Samsung Medical Center — 82-2-3410-0200
- Severance Hospital (Yonsei) — 82-2-2228-5800
- Asan Medical Center — 82-2-3010-5001
- Korea University Medical Center — 82-2-920-5677
Emergency Services
In an emergency, call 119. The National Emergency Medical Center operates E-gen (www.e-gen.or.kr), a portal with real-time information on hospitals, pharmacies, ER availability, and AED locations.
National Health Insurance
Workplace Insurance
Mandatory for all workplaces that hire one or more full-time workers. Both employer and employee contribute. Foreigners employed in Korea are automatically enrolled.
Self-Employed Insurance
Foreign residents with alien registration who meet eligibility criteria can enroll in the self-employed health insurance program.
Eligible Visa Types
D-1 through D-9, E-1 through E-7, E-9, F-1 through F-6, H-1, H-2, and Korean nationals residing abroad are all eligible for national health insurance enrollment.
Required documents: Alien registration card, domestic residence report card, proof of income (if applicable), and certificate of academic enrollment (for D-2 student visa holders).
Useful Contacts
Emergency: 119
Medical emergency info (E-gen): www.e-gen.or.kr
Health Insurance Corporation: 1577-1000
Foreigner consultation: 1345
Source: KOTRA 2019 Guide to Living in Korea. Information may have changed — always verify with official sources.