Plastic Surgery in Korea

Why is Korea famous for cosmetic surgery?

Seoul's Gangnam district has one of the world's highest concentrations of cosmetic surgery clinics, built on decades of specialisation, strong aftercare infrastructure (including multilingual coordinators for international patients), and techniques — like rhinoplasty and facial contouring — refined specifically for Asian facial anatomy.

Is cosmetic surgery covered by insurance in Korea?

Purely aesthetic procedures are not covered by NHIS. Reconstructive surgery following cancer, trauma, or burns is covered, subject to standard co-payments and approval.

How do I verify a plastic surgeon's qualifications in Korea?

All practicing physicians in Korea must be licensed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) under the Medical Service Act, with specialist board titles further recognised by the Korean Medical Association (KMA).