[Premium Content] Medical Tourism’s 1.17 Million Patients: Which Specialties Drew Them?

In 2024, Korea reported more than 1.17 million international patients, passing the government's target of 700,000 a year by 2027 three years early. The growth was uneven across specialties. Dermatology accounted for more than half of the reported department-level patient counts.

Start with the figures

These are figures for 2024, published by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, or KHIDI:

Reported actual patients: 1,170,467, up 93.2% from 2023.
Estimated domestic spending associated with medical tourism: approximately KRW 7.5 trillion, including spending beyond medical care and spending by accompanying travelers. This is not treatment revenue.
Dermatology: approximately 705,000 department-level patients, a 56.6% share and a 194.9% increase from the previous year.
Plastic surgery: approximately 140,000 department-level patients, an 11.4% share.
Seoul's share of reported international patients: 85.4%.

Specialty shares use department-level counts: a patient visiting more than one specialty is counted in each. They should not be read as percentages of 1,170,467 nationally unique individuals.

By nationality, Japan accounted for 37.7%, China 22.3%, the United States 8.7% and Taiwan 7.1%. Contemporary reporting on the 2024 release also highlighted a 1,017% year-on-year increase in dermatology patients from Taiwan—more than ten times the earlier count.

What this means for a clinic owner

First, international patient demand extends beyond large hospitals and screening centers. Dermatology's share points to an opportunity for clinic-level providers as well. Some outpatient services may fit into a visitor's trip, but suitability, recovery and follow-up still depend on the patient and the clinician's assessment.

Second, the approach should reflect the patients you hope to serve. Japan and Taiwan combine nearby travel markets with substantial dermatology demand. Clear Japanese and Traditional Chinese information can help people compare providers and understand how to ask about an appointment.

Third, concentration in Seoul also raises a question for providers elsewhere. Busan and Jeju have tourism demand that may be relevant to local clinics. The 85.4% figure alone does not establish that competition is lower there; assess the actual services, search demand and competitors in the area.

How might an international patient find the clinic?

A patient researching Korea may use Google Maps, other search services or AI answers, read reviews and look for information in a language they understand. Their route need not begin on Naver. For a clinic preparing to serve international patients, these are useful starting checks:

Google Business Profile: an accurate business name, services, opening hours and the languages the clinic can actually support.
Review replies: useful responses in the reviewer's language, with private patient information kept out of public replies.
Foreign-language pages: clear service information, appointment steps and directions.
Search and AI questions: content that answers the questions prospective patients actually ask about the clinic and its services.

Check registration before recruiting patients

Attracting international patients is a regulated activity. Clinics carrying out activities covered by Korea's foreign-patient attraction rules need the required registration; unregistered activity can lead to penalties. The current registration process is handled through the competent city or provincial authority. Review the applicable requirements and procedures before beginning recruitment.

The practical implication

The 2024 figures showed dermatology-led growth and reached the government's target ahead of schedule. For a clinic, the useful question is how well prospective patients can find accurate information, understand the care offered and reach the team. Preparing that information gives the clinic a clearer starting point for international marketing.

This article retains its focus on 2024, rather than presenting those figures as the latest annual results. The original sources were the ministry's April 2025 announcement and KHIDI's 2024 patient statistics report. For this English edition, checked October 31, 2026, the report's department-count definition and the broader scope of the KRW 7.5 trillion spending estimate have been clarified.

Sources: KHIDI's 2024 report (Korean); the government's explanation of medical-tourism spending; contemporary reporting on Taiwan's dermatology growth (Korean); and current registration procedures (Korean).

BlinkAd reviews clinics' Google Business Profiles and foreign-language search information together. If you would like to check how your clinic appears to international patients, send us a message.

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