Medical care in Korea may not be like the care that you receive in your own country. If you expect to need medical attention during travel, we recommend bringing a summary of your medical records and prescriptions with you. The moment you settle down in the hotel, locate the closest and best medical center or physician.

In the event of a medical emergency, take along a Korean-speaking companion, as most nurses have limited English-speaking skills. If this were not possible, writing down medical information would be helpful as medical personnel can read or write English medical terminology.

Choosing a physician
The larger hospitals in Seoul have clinics staffed by English-speaking physicians and nurses who can coordinate appointments with specialists. Many Korean physicians do not display their license or other credentials, and it may take a certain level of diplomacy is needed to find out their qualifications as doctors.

Local doctors are used to seeing patients in a clinic setting. However, Koreans do not have the same sense of privacy that Westerners do, so don't be embarrassed if the doctor asks to inspect you in front of other patients.

Hospitals

Severance International Health Care Center
134, Shinchon-dong, Sudaemun-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82-2 392-3404
Fax: +82-2 362-6835
Emergency call: 361-2540
Location: in the western district of Shinchon street, the hospital is next to the Yonsei University (You can say to taxi driver, "Yonsei Severance byongwon-euro kapshita" ("Let's go to the Yonsei Severance hospital"). A separate medical center for foreigners within the complex is run by an American.

Asan Medical Center (Seoul Chungang Hospital)
388-1, Poongnap-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82-2 2224-5001
Fax: +82-2 2224-5004
Emergency: 2224-3333 (after 5:30 p.m.)
Location: 2- to 3-min. ride from the Olympic Park Hotel in southern district

Samsung Medical Center
50, Ilwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82-2 3410-0200
Fax: +82-2 3410-0229
Emergency: 3410-2060
Location: Seoul's newest—and probably most modern—hospital. Located at the tip of the southern Gangnam district, the hospital is a 20-min. ride from the five-star hotels such as Inter-Continental, Ramada Renaissance, and Novotel Ambassador.

Cha General Hospital Foreign Clinic
650-9, Yoksam-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82-2 3468-3113
Fax: +82-2 558-1119
Location: 10- to 15-min. ride from five-star hotel district in southern Gangnam

Hanyang Univ. Medical Center
17, Haengdang-dong, Songdong-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82-2 2290-8114
Fax: +82-2 2290-9192
Location: near Songsu-dong, Seoul's industrial district

Private Clinics for Foreigners
Specialization: pediatric, ob-gyn, and internal medicine
Seoul Clinical Lab, pediatric unit
Tel: +82-2 735-4694

Dr. Yoo's Ob-gyn medicine
Specialization: internal, pediatric, and ob-gyn medicine
Tel: +82-2 533-7614

Seoul Foreign Clinic
Specialization: internal and mental illnesses
Tel: +82-2 7996-1871/2