No. of overseas medical tourists to S. Korea nearly doubled y/y in 2024

The number of foreign nationals who visited South Korea last year for medical procedures was nearly double compared to the year before.

According to the Health Ministry on Wednesday, the number reached around 1-point-2 million, the highest since the country's medical tourism program began in 2009.

Since then, the total has exceeded 5-million.

By nationality, Japan topped the list, accounting for over 37-percent, followed by China and the U.S.

And over half came over to have dermatology treatment.