Safety and patient rights for international patients in Korea

How do you check that a hospital or facilitator is registered?

Search the Registered Hospitals and Registered Facilitators lists on Medical Korea, the official portal. You can search by name, phone number, type and region.

• A hospital or facilitator that wants to attract foreign patients must register under the Act on Support for Overseas Expansion of Healthcare System and Attraction of International Patients.
• Registration is valid for 3 years and has to be renewed.
• The registration certificate must be displayed where anyone can see it in the hospital or office.
• Attracting foreign patients without registration is a criminal offense.

What must a registered hospital provide to foreign patients?

It must be insured, have specialists in the departments that treat foreign patients, and give you clear information before treatment. These are conditions of registration and duties under the Act.

• Medical malpractice liability insurance, or membership in a medical liability mutual-aid association
• At least one specialist in each department that treats foreign patients
• An explanation of the diagnosis, the treatment method and the possible side effects
• A treatment contract that includes the estimated cost
• An explanation of the dispute procedure in case of a medical accident
• Patients' rights posted in foreign languages, with printed copies available

What must a doctor explain before surgery?

Before surgery, a blood transfusion or general anesthesia that carries a risk of serious harm, the doctor must explain the procedure and obtain your written consent. You can ask for a copy of the consent form.

• The diagnosis, and why the procedure is needed
• How the procedure will be done
• The names of the doctor who gives the explanation and the main operating doctor
• The typical side effects that can be expected
• What you need to do before and after the procedure

You must be told in writing if the method or the main operating doctor changes. The exception is an emergency in which delay would endanger life.

What can you do if something goes wrong?

Raise it with the hospital first and keep your records. If that does not resolve it, the Medical Korea Information Center takes complaints and helps with disputes, and the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency handles mediation.

1. Tell the hospital in writing what happened and what you are asking for. Keep the contract, receipts, consent form and any messages.
2. Call the Medical Korea Information Center on 1577-7129. It takes complaints about medical institutions, provides consultation on disputes and supports transfer of a case to the mediation agency.
3. Contact the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency on 1670-2545, or +82-2-1670-2545 from abroad, on weekdays from 09:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 18:00. Consultation is free, and you can send an online request at any time.

The agency's website is available in Korean, English and Chinese and has English application forms.

How does medical dispute mediation work in Korea?

Mediation is a procedure outside the courts, and the law that governs it applies to people who are not Korean nationals. A decision must be made within 90 days of the procedure starting, and an accepted decision has the same effect as a court settlement.

An application is dismissed if a lawsuit on the same dispute has already been filed.

What are the warning signs when you choose a provider?

Be careful with any hospital or facilitator that is not on the registered lists, avoids putting things in writing or pushes you to decide quickly.

• It does not appear on the Medical Korea registered lists.
• It will not give a written treatment plan and estimate.
• It presses you to decide or pay on the day.
• It talks only about benefits and not about risks, side effects or alternatives.
• It promises a result.