I interviewed Dr. Hwang Kyuseok, President of the Seoul Medical Association, about why Korean plastic surgery is recognized worldwide. He explained the strengths of K‑plastic surgery, including Korea’s medical technology, cost competitiveness, and health insurance system. Korean medical professionals truly have every reason to be proud.
Hello, I’m Dr. Hwang Kyuseok. I’d like to talk about the level of Korea’s plastic surgery techniques on the global stage. You already know that among K‑beauty, K‑culture, and K‑medical, Korea’s medical standards are considered the best. One of the reasons our medical care ranks so highly is its exceptional value for the quality provided.
In Korea, you can see a specialist for just 3,300 won, often within an hour whenever you want. The value is unmatched — you can meet a doctor at a price even lower than in many African countries. But to be honest, this is only possible because these costs are covered by the national health insurance system funded by our citizens. In the end, Korea’s health insurance system is exceptionally well‑established.
As the President of the Seoul Medical Association, I can say that Korea’s health insurance premiums are relatively low compared to many countries around the world. I understand that these premiums can still feel burdensome for our citizens. From what I know, Koreans pay around 10%, while in many advanced countries, people pay over 20%. Yet despite paying so much, those countries often make patients wait months for medical appointments. In Korea, we pay about half of that and can see a doctor whenever we want without financial strain, while still receiving full medical benefits. It truly is an excellent country, and that’s why Korea has one of the best health insurance systems in the world.
Korea’s medical technology is outstanding, and in the field of plastic surgery in particular, people from all over the world come here to learn. Korean doctors teach at international conferences, and their instructional courses often sell out instantly because they are so highly sought after. Despite this, the cost of plastic surgery in Korea is still relatively affordable compared to global standards. As you know, the United States is the most expensive, followed by Europe. Korea, however, offers world‑class surgical skills at mid‑range or even lower prices, giving it tremendous competitiveness in the cosmetic surgery market. That’s why people from all around the world come to Korea for their procedures.
The only places where medical fees are slightly lower than in Korea are underdeveloped countries, but even in places like the Philippines, the difference isn’t very big. Southeast Asia may be a bit cheaper, but the gap in technical skill is significant. In terms of expertise, Korea is far ahead. That’s why people from all over the world come here.
Korea’s plastic surgery techniques are among the best in the world, while the cost is less than half of what many other countries charge, giving Korea nearly four times the competitive advantage. Of course, plastic surgery is not covered by insurance, so it can still feel burdensome, especially with the current economic situation. I fully understand that many people are struggling. Even so, no matter where you go, Korea offers the best value, the best surgical outcomes, and the strongest competitiveness. Thank you.
