These days all eyes are on Korea. Psy’s ‘Gangnam style’ has helped make Gangnam a place recognized
worldwide, and mobile phones from
Samsung have placed Korea’s technical ability as the best. Moreover, Korea has become a brand able to be shared freely across many countries. 

There is another area in which Korea is recognized in. That area is the medical service sector. Our country’s entrance in the medical service
industry is very short. After legal regulations were changed in 2009, there has been extraordinary growth at a rate of 40% annually. In the year
2011, there were 120,000 foreigners visiting Korean hospitalsㆍclinics. Total profits were 1.8 quadrillion Korean won with an average medical
fee for 1 person being 1,490,000 Korean won. 

Visitors came from various countries including China, USA, Japan, Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and even the Middle East. These days, health
examinations, beautyㆍaesthetic procedures, treatments for angina, and other major problems can all be taken care of. Korea has been recognized worldwide for its advanced and safe state of medical service. 

However, these results are not all pretty roses. Countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore have been active in attracting foreign
patients for many years, and as such there is a big difference in results. In the case of Thailand, the government provides much support and has made medical tourism a national industry. Compared to foreigners coming to Korea, there are more than 10 times more medical travelers to
Thailand and 1,560,000 foreign patients visited Thailand. A competitive advantage that Thailand possesses is that the government, agencies, and 
hospitals work in perfect harmony to seamlessly provide medical visa, tour packages, and etc. By comparison, the situation in Korea is ‘incomplete.’ The best university students in Korea have long held a preference for medical schools. This goes to show that only the most talented students
focus on the medical industry. Moreover, this potential and high capability leads to a better chance of success. With further advancement of the
medical sector, overseas medical tours and the bio industry make up the foundation for the next generation of Korean growth engines. 

That being said, just having the potential to succeed does not guarantee anything. Only with a sound institutional and organized system is there a higher chance to succeed. Underdeveloped countries issuing medical visas and other institutional improvements in the medical sector require much support. Unfortunately, hospitals and the privatization of the medical industry are not issues being discussed politically. Under the current system,
individual hospitals must be registered as private businesses. It is now the time to discuss how to increase the number of medical entrepreneurs
going from ‘for profit’ to ‘non profit.’ If that is not the case, there should be new regulations established in which legal medical practitioners can
participate to improve and maintain global competitive advantages. 

In addition, the service mindset for medical practitioners must also improve. To accommodate various patients from around the globe, settling
cultural differences is key. It is important to understand their politics, society, economics, and culture. Patients require more than just great
treatment. 

The Korean wave has spread from K-POP, dramas, and entertainment to the beauty industry, creating a new beauty medical industry.
Now, medical tourism is also helping to spread awareness of Korea. 

Park Wonjin Wonjin Plastic Surgery Representative