How to choose a dermatology clinic in Seoul: three documents to check before you fly
Ask for three documents: the medical institution opening certificate, the doctor's specialist certificate, and the registration certificate for attracting foreign patients. Only then talk about treatments and prices.
The short answer
Before booking a dermatology or aesthetic clinic in Seoul, ask for three documents: the medical institution opening certificate (의료기관 개설신고증명서), the specialist certificate (전문의 자격증) of the doctor who will treat you, and the registration certificate as a medical institution attracting foreign patients (외국인환자 유치의료기관 등록증). A properly run clinic has all three and will send them without fuss.
Document one: the opening certificate
Every clinic (의원) in Korea is registered with the district public health center and holds an opening certificate showing the official name, type, address, medical departments, opening date, and the founder's name and license number.
- Name. The Korean name on the certificate is the official one. Chinese and English names are often invented by agencies, and a clinic may be known under several of them. Reviews for a different clinic with a similar name are a common source of confusion.
- Address. It must match the place you are going to. Branches of the same brand are registered separately.
- Departments. Compare the listed departments with the specialist certificate below.
Document two: the specialist certificate
A "specialist" (전문의) is a board-certified physician recognised by the Ministry of Health and Welfare under Article 77 of the Medical Service Act. Three points:
- Under Article 42, only a specialist may use the specialty in the clinic name. "○○ Dermatology Clinic" (피부과의원) means the founder is a board-certified dermatologist. "○○ Clinic" (의원) listing dermatology among its departments means the doctors may be of any specialty. Both are legal; you simply need to know who treats you.
- Certification belongs to the person, not the clinic. Ask which doctor will treat you and check that doctor's certificate.
- The red square "dermatology specialist" logo seen online is issued by a medical association to its members. It is not a legal document.
Document three: the registration certificate for foreign patients
Under the Act on Attraction of International Patients, a medical institution must register with the city or province before treating patients from abroad. Registration requires at least one specialist for each registered department and medical malpractice liability insurance or membership in a mutual indemnity association. The certificate therefore tells you two things at once: the registered departments have a specialist, and there is insurance behind the treatment.
- Registered departments. Check that the treatment you want falls under a department listed on the certificate.
- Validity. Registration expires and must be renewed.
How to check for yourself
- The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (심평원) clinic search shows each clinic's departments and the number of specialists per department. Search by the Korean name.
- Medical Korea lists registered institutions.
- If you cannot find it, ask the clinic for photos of the documents.
Three documents prove the clinic is licensed, has a specialist, and is insured. They do not prove it is good. For that, rely on the consultation and on written quotes.