How to find a registered hospital for foreign patients in Korea?

1. Search the official portal. Medical Korea lists registered medical institutions and registered facilitators for international patients [2].
2. Match the legal entity. Compare the exact legal name and address with the listing, not only the brand name. Several brands can share one address, and one brand can run separate legal entities. Institution details are also published in public health-insurance data [6].
3. Check the intermediary. If an agency, broker or influencer arranges the trip, confirm that it is registered as a facilitator too [2]. Recruiting foreign patients without registration is punishable by up to 3 years' imprisonment or a fine of up to KRW 30 million [5].
4. Understand what registration covers. Institutions register with the metropolitan or provincial government through KHIDI's Foreign Patient Attraction Information System, and the review takes about 20 working days [5]. Since 2016, registered institutions have had to carry malpractice liability insurance [4]. Registration does not assess an individual doctor's skill or outcomes.
5. Verify the doctor and the product. Ask for the treating doctor's name and specialist credentials. For any drug, implant or cell preparation, ask for its regulatory status with MFDS [1]. Most stem cell interventions outside a few established uses remain experimental [3].
6. Agree on follow-up in writing. Get an itemised quotation, the revision and refund policy, and details of who provides care after you return home.

Stem cell cosmetic surgery in Korea

Cosmetic procedures offered in Korea include stem cell breast augmentation and stem cell fat grafting, in which SVF separated from the patient's own fat is mixed into the graft. Whether a clinic is a designated advanced regenerative medicine institution or holds a cell processing facility permit can be checked in the public records listed under regenerative medicine.