Seeing a doctor in Korea: types of hospitals, choosing a department, check-in and pharmacies

Go to a local clinic for minor illness, and to a big hospital with a referral letter. Types of hospitals, which department to choose for your symptoms, the ID you need at check-in, prescriptions and pharmacies, and what to do in an emergency.

Updated Oct 23, 2026As of Oct 20266 min read

In Korea, when you are sick, you usually go first to a clinic (의원) near your home. For a big hospital, people often go with a referral letter from a clinic. Knowing the order saves you time and money.

Types of hospitals

Type	What it is	When to go
Clinic (의원)	A small local doctor’s office. Its sign often says “○○의원” or “○○내과”.	Most symptoms, such as a cold, an upset stomach or a minor injury
Hospital (병원)	A mid-sized hospital with beds for patients.	When you need tests or a short stay
General hospital (종합병원)	A large hospital with many departments.	When a clinic suggests a bigger hospital
Tertiary general hospital (상급종합병원)	The largest hospitals, such as university hospitals, which treat serious illness.	Go with a referral letter

Swipe to see the whole table

At a tertiary general hospital, you need a referral letter (진료의뢰서) to get health insurance benefits. Without one, you may pay much more (there are some exceptions, such as emergencies). You get the referral letter from the doctor at the clinic or hospital you visited first.

Choosing a department for your symptoms

Department	For symptoms like these (examples)
Internal medicine (내과)	Cold, fever, cough, upset stomach, diarrhoea, blood pressure and diabetes care
General surgery (외과)	Wound care, boils, advice on whether you need surgery
Orthopaedics (정형외과)	Back, neck or shoulder pain, sprained ankle, bone and joint injuries
Dentistry (치과)	Toothache, cavities, bleeding gums, teeth cleaning (scaling)
Dermatology (피부과)	Hives, eczema, acne, itchy skin
Ophthalmology (안과)	Red eyes, eye pain, blurry vision, something in your eye
Ear, nose and throat (이비인후과)	Sore throat, runny or blocked nose, rhinitis, ear pain
Obstetrics and gynaecology (산부인과)	Period problems, pregnancy tests and check-ups, women’s health
Paediatrics (소아청소년과)	Colds, fever and vaccinations for children and teenagers
Korean medicine clinic (한의원)	Traditional Korean medicine such as acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine

If you do not know where to go, start with internal medicine (or paediatrics for children). If needed, the doctor will send you to another department or a bigger hospital.

At check-in

1
Bring your ID
Since 20 May 2024, hospitals and clinics must check your identity with an ID before applying health insurance. Always bring an ID such as your residence card (외국인등록증) or passport.
2
Check in
Show your ID at the reception desk and briefly say what is wrong. At a new hospital, you often write down your name, phone number and so on.
3
See the doctor
When it is your turn, tell the doctor your symptoms, when they started, any medicine you take and any allergies. If Korean is hard for you, write it in a translation app before you go.
4
Pay
After the visit, pay at the reception desk and get a prescription if you need one.

Prescriptions and pharmacies

In Korea you usually get a prescription at the hospital and buy the medicine at a pharmacy (약국) outside the hospital.
A prescription can only be used for a limited time, so go to a pharmacy soon after you get it.
Ask the pharmacist how to take the medicine and what to watch out for.
Over-the-counter medicine, such as cold medicine, digestive medicine and painkillers, can be bought at a pharmacy without a prescription. Some are also sold at convenience stores.

Emergencies

In an emergency, such as trouble breathing, chest pain or losing consciousness, call 119 right away.
At 119 you can call an ambulance and also get advice in an emergency.
You can find emergency rooms, hospitals and pharmacies open at night or on holidays on the Emergency Medical Portal (e-gen.or.kr).
An emergency room can cost more than a normal visit. If it is not urgent, look for a clinic that is open.

Health insurance

If you have health insurance, you pay only part of the cost. For who can join and how much it costs, see the article ‘National Health Insurance for Foreigners: Who Joins, What You Pay, How to Use It’.

This article is general information. Talk to a doctor about your symptoms and treatment.

Official sources

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