Govt. aims to attract 300,000 medical tourists by 2015

The Korean government aims to attract 300,000 overseas medical tourists by 2015 and become a leader in the medical tourism industry.

According to the Ministry of Health & Welfare, in 2009, more than 60 thousand people visited Korea for medical treatment, and more than 80 thousand in 2010.



Thailand currently attracts more than a million medical tourists each year, while Singapore and India bring in more than 700,000 tourists each for medical treatment.

The Ministry of Health & Welfare and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism are currently working together in order to advance Korea’s medical tourism industry. The Health Ministry has worked out seven priority projects, including accommodations for medical tourists, marketing, and translation, along with improving the visa system.