“Taiwanese and Japanese Patients Flock to Haeundae”… Busan Medical Tourism for Dermatology Quadruples in a Year

Busan saw a record-breaking 75,000 medical tourists last year… Dermatological -treatments surged by an astonishing 301% // Haeundae dermatology clinics revamp patient reception with multilingual -consultations and stay-tailored treatment plans

[2025 Medical Tourism Familiarization Tour for Chinese-Speaking Buyers.]

With the number of foreign patients visiting South Korea surpassing the 2 million mark for the first time in history, the southern port city of Busan is rapidly emerging as a key driver of this growth.
 
According to foreign patient attraction statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare this past April, the number of foreign patients who visited Korea in 2025 reached 2.01 million. This marks a 72% increase from the previous year (1.17 million), breaking the all-time record for the third consecutive year. By medical department, dermatology took an overwhelming lead with 1.31 million patients (62.9%), followed by plastic surgery (11.2%) and integrated internal medicine (9.2%).
 
Busan’s growth trajectory has notably outpaced the national average. Data compiled by the Busan Metropolitan City Government and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) showed that 75,879 foreign medical tourists visited Busan last year. This is a 151.5% jump from the previous year, ranking the city second nationwide and first among non-capital regions. Dermatology clinics, in particular, spearheaded this growth, with patient numbers skyrocketing by 301%—from 13,158 to 52,798. By nationality, Taiwan (37.4%) overtook Japan (22.2%) to claim the top spot for the first time, with China (15%) trailing closely behind.
 
Dermatology on the Tourist Trail… ‘Length of Stay’ Becomes a Key Variable in Treatment Design
 
A defining characteristic of Busan’s medical tourism is that a significant portion of patients do not visit solely for medical treatment; rather, they incorporate clinic visits into their travel itineraries. This is precisely why dermatology clinics located near major tourist hotspots like Haeundae and Gwangalli are cited as the primary beneficiaries of this trend.
 

Changes on the ground are palpable. One dermatology clinic in Haeundae recently launched English and Chinese websites, alongside pre-consultation channels on platforms familiar to Taiwanese and Chinese users, such as LINE, Xiaohongshu, and WeChat.
 
“When treating foreign patients, my primary concern is not simply what procedure to perform, but whether the patient can maintain satisfactory results long after they leave Korea,” said Dr. Kim Tae-hoon, a board-certified dermatologist and adjunct professor at Dong-A University Hospital, who currently practices at Grays Dermatology in Haeundae.
 

[Dr. Kim Tae-hoon during a patient consultation.]

Dr. Kim further explained, “Because foreign patients cannot visit the clinic as frequently as domestic ones, I prioritize a treatment strategy that delivers sufficient efficacy in just one session and ensures those results last. Therefore, rather than blindly recommending expensive or trending procedures, I plan customized treatments that combine essential procedures within the patient’s budget to maximize both effectiveness and longevity.”
 
He also emphasized the importance of aftercare: “The results are not completed by the procedure alone. I consider it a crucial part of the medical process to review and guide patients on face-washing methods, basic skincare recommendations, and lifestyle habits so they can maintain optimal skin condition after returning home. Thanks to this comprehensive approach, we not only see high patient satisfaction but also frequent repeat visits and referrals from family and friends. Ultimately, our most important priority is to deliver results that patients can remain satisfied with over the long term, rather than a fleeting Korean aesthetic experience.”
 
What Patients Must Check… The Same Standard Applies to Domestic Patients
 
Experts advise that during a boom in medical tourism, it is increasingly vital for patients to verify certain criteria themselves. These include checking whether the doctor holds a specific “board-certified dermatologist” qualification (distinct from a general medical license), ensuring there is an adequate pre-procedural diagnostic process, and confirming the existence of a post-procedural contact and follow-up system in case complications arise. This standard applies equally to both foreign and domestic patients.
 
This year, the Busan Metropolitan City Government has established the ‘2026 Busan Medical Tourism Revitalization Master Plan,’ injecting 2.4 billion won to strengthen the patient-attraction ecosystem and bolster destination branding. A city official noted that medical tourism boasts a greater economic ripple effect on the local economy compared to general tourism, as it entails longer stays and higher per capita spending.
 
As dermatological care firmly positions itself as an ‘experience-based tourism content’ succeeding the K-beauty wave, the consultation rooms of Haeundae’s dermatology clinics are swiftly becoming the new touchpoint of Busan’s tourism industry. 

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