According to South Korean media Asia Economy on August 30, 2026, last year, the number of foreigners who used South Korean medical institutions exceeded 2 million, with Japanese patients being most common for cosmetic surgery and Chinese patients being most common for dermatology.

According to statistics from the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, last year, the number of foreign patients who used medical services was 2,011,822, an increase of 71.9% from the previous year. By nationality, China was the most numerous at 30.8% (618,973 people), followed by Japan at 29.8% (600,009 people), Taiwan at 9.2% (185,715 people), and the United States at 8.6% (173,363 people).

By medical department, dermatology saw the most Chinese patients at 35.0%, followed by Japanese at 30.5%. On the other hand, in cosmetic surgery, Japanese patients were the most numerous at 42.0%, while Chinese patients were 24.5%. In ophthalmology, Mongolians were the most numerous at 22.0%, followed by Americans at 20.3%. The article emphasizes that Mongolians, known for their good eyesight, are also "flocking" to South Korean ophthalmology clinics. In orthopedics, Americans accounted for 27.4%, Chinese 15.3%, and in pediatrics, Americans accounted for 30.4%, Mongolians 13.2%, among others.

The number of foreign patients per 1,000 foreign visitors to Korea rapidly increased from 28.4 people in 2019 to 106.2 people in 2025. Medical consumption by foreigners reached the 200 billion won (approximately 23.4 billion yen) level in March this year, and has exceeded the 200 billion won level for five consecutive months, reaching 213.08 billion won in July.

By nationality, consumption amount was highest for Chinese at approximately 57.7 billion won, followed by Americans at approximately 44.0 billion won, Japanese at approximately 28.5 billion won, Taiwanese at approximately 25.3 billion won, and Singaporeans at approximately 6.4 billion won.

Experts analyze that "while medical tourism for cosmetic purposes, such as dermatology and cosmetic surgery, is high, particularly among Chinese and Japanese, a significant proportion of demand from other Asian countries is for treatment purposes, such as LASIK/LASEK surgery, herniated discs, and cancer."

To this article, South Korean netizens commented: "Mongolians in ophthalmology? Aren't they known for 3.0 vision?" "From Mongolia? That's strange (lol)." "It's surprising that Japanese people are getting cosmetic surgery in South Korea." "Apparently, the same procedure costs several times more in Japan than in Korea." "At dermatology clinics in Gangnam, you don't see regular patients. They've become cosmetic dermatology clinics exclusively for foreigners." "Good. It's wonderful to earn money in any way, rather than committing bad deeds." "Proud K-medical care." and other comments were posted. (Translation/Editing: Mae)