New Hallyu, Medical Tourism
Foreigners come to Korea to access the country's cutting-edge medical techniques and the latest medical equipment. By 2009, 600,000 foreign patients had come to Korea for treatment, and that number will reach one million by the end of 2015. The total amount spent on medical services by foreign patients nears US$ 502 million, a stunning 42% increase from just a year ago. Patients from Russia, the U.S., and the UAE trust and are satisfied with the quality of medical care they receive here. However, illegal Chinese brokers taking huge fees from foreign patients are posing problems for Korea's medical tourism. The Korean government has taken measures to address this problem by disclosing medical costs to foreign patients and urging the parliament to pass the new act on international medical projects. 4Angles presents the current status of Korea's medical tourism programs.