Korea vs Japan Medical Systems
One of the biggest worries when living or traveling abroad is, “What should I do if I get sick?”
If you’re planning to stay in Korea, it’s especially important to understand how the medical system and hospital rules work.
In this article, we’ll take a close look at the differences between the Korean and Japanese healthcare systems from a real-life perspective!
1. Types of Hospitals and Accessibility
🇯🇵 In Japan:
- Divided into clinics (private practices) and large general hospitals
- Without a referral letter, it’s often impossible—or more expensive—to receive treatment at large hospitals
- Long waiting times are common for first-time visits
🇰🇷 In Korea:
- Local clinics specialize by field (internal medicine, dermatology, ENT, etc.)
- General hospitals accept patients freely without referral letters
- Usually no reservation needed — just walk in and register
💡 Tip:
In Korea, people go to the hospital right away when they feel slightly unwell.
Rather than self-diagnosing, it’s common to visit a specialist immediately.
2. Differences in Health Insurance Systems
| Category | Japan | Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance Name | National Health Insurance / Social Insurance | National Health Insurance (국민건강보험) |
| Coverage | Consultation, medication, surgery, hospitalization | Same coverage |
| Out-of-pocket Cost | Around 30% | Around 30% (varies by department or medication) |
| Insurance Proof | Present insurance card at reception | Verified via resident or foreign registration number |
💡 Tip:
In Korea, you don’t need to carry your insurance card — your number is enough.
For many Japanese visitors, this feels surprisingly convenient.
3. Consultation Procedure and Speed
🇯🇵 In Japan:
- Check-in (fill out medical questionnaire)
- Long waiting time
- Doctor consultation (careful but time-limited)
- Pick up medicine at an external pharmacy
🇰🇷 In Korea:
- Check-in (often no form required)
- Wait only a few minutes
- Quick doctor consultation
- Pay, then receive medicine in the same building
💡 In short: medical service in Korea feels overwhelmingly faster.
4. Medical Fees and Medicine Costs
| Item | Japan | Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Initial internal medicine visit | ¥2,000–3,000 | ₩10,000–15,000 (≈ ¥1,000–1,500) |
| 3-day prescription | ¥500–1,000 | ₩3,000–5,000 (≈ ¥300–500) |
| Health check-up | Not covered, expensive | Free health screenings available through National Health Insurance |
💡 In Korea, medicine is often pre-packed by dosage and time in small packets —
you rarely see each pill type bagged separately.
5. Medical Specializations
In Korea, specialties are more segmented than in Japan.
For example, if you have a cough, you might visit ENT (이비인후과) rather than internal medicine.
| Symptom | Japan | Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Cold, cough | Internal medicine | ENT or internal medicine |
| Skin issues | Dermatology or internal medicine | Dermatology |
| Stress / insomnia | Psychiatry | Mental Health Medicine (정신건강의학과) |
💡 Many Japanese residents struggle with choosing the right department.
If unsure, ask hotel staff or language school employees for guidance.
6. Emergency and 24-hour Medical Care
🇯🇵 Japan: Limited nighttime or holiday services; must visit emergency clinics or night hospitals.
🇰🇷 Korea: University hospital emergency rooms are open 24 hours, and many local clinics offer nighttime consultations.
📱 Tip: Search “야간진료 (night consultation)” on KakaoMap or Naver Map to instantly find open hospitals nearby.
7. Communication and Language Barriers
Language is still the biggest hurdle for foreigners.
🇯🇵 Japan: Few hospitals accept foreigners; English-speaking doctors are rare.
🇰🇷 Korea: Many hospitals are familiar with foreign patients and even offer interpretation services.
💡 Major hospitals like Seoul National University Hospital and Severance Hospital have dedicated foreign-patient centers.
If it’s your first visit, that’s a good place to start.
8. Medical Culture You Should Know in Korea
- Consultations are short, and medication (including antibiotics) is prescribed quickly.
- Getting IV drips or injections for mild symptoms is common.
- If you don’t clearly explain your condition, misunderstandings can occur.
📌 Tip: Use a translation app or prepare a note with your symptoms before visiting the hospital — it will make the process smoother and safer!
✅ Summary: How to Visit a Hospital in Korea with Confidence
| Point | Japan | Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance proof | Present card | Registration number is enough |
| Waiting time | Often long | Short and efficient |
| Consultation | Thorough but time-limited | Quick and concise |
| Pharmacy | Outside hospital | In same building |
| Language support | Limited | Increasing with interpreter options |
Whether you’re staying short-term or long-term, knowing these differences will help you handle medical situations in Korea with peace of mind.
Finally: Key Points for Using Hospitals in Korea
- Even travelers with a Foreign Registration Card can enroll in Korea’s National Health Insurance.
- On KakaoMap, you can search terms like “야간진료 (night consultation), 내과 (internal medicine), 피부과 (dermatology)” to instantly check which hospitals are currently open.
- Using foreign-patient clinics at major hospitals can help ease language-related worries.
Korean healthcare is characterized by its speed and clear division of specialties.
Once you understand these differences, you may actually find the Korean system more convenient than Japan’s!
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