Why Are Foreigners Flocking to Busan for Medical Tourism?... Over 70,000 Visitors Last Year, Dermatology Surges

Busan Rises to Second Nationwide for the First Time... Nearly Threefold Increase from Taiwan

Busan Sees 151% Growth Year-on-Year, Maintains Top Spot Among Non-Capital Regions

Medical tourism in Busan for foreigners has entered a phase of active growth, surpassing the recovery stage after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Busan Metropolitan Government announced on May 4 that the number of foreign medical tourists in the city reached 75,879 last year. This represents an increase of 151.5% compared to the previous year, marking an all-time high.

The national rankings have also changed. For the first time, Busan ranked second nationwide, while continuing to hold the top position among non-capital regions for the second consecutive year. Compared to the pre-pandemic peak in 2019, the number has nearly tripled.

The increase was especially pronounced among certain countries. Taiwan accounted for the largest share at 37.4% of the total, followed by Japan and China. In particular, the number of Taiwanese patients surged by 293% in just one year. This is attributed to a combination of accessibility and high demand for beauty-focused treatments.

There was a distinct concentration in the field of dermatology, which accounted for 67% of all treatments and saw a year-on-year increase of 301%. This was followed by plastic surgery (6.5%)

, internal medicine and integrated care (5.3%), health screening centers (3.9%), and dental clinics (1.7%).

The Busan Metropolitan Government believes that public-private partnership-based marketing and improvements in the medical acceptance system have contributed to these results. Initiatives included inviting overseas buyers, holding briefings for target countries, and joint promotions with medical institutions.

This year, the city is implementing the "Basic Plan for the Promotion of Busan Medical Tourism." With an investment of 2.4 billion won, the city plans to strengthen its strategy centered on customized services.

Kim Kyung-Deok, Acting Mayor of Busan, emphasized, "Medical tourism has a significant impact on the local economy due to longer stays and higher spending. We will continue to foster a high-value-added model that combines treatment and tourism."

Buyer Consultation Meeting for Medical Tourism from Russia and Kazakhstan in November Last Year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.