The boom is drawing doctors from hospital specialties into more lucrative aesthetic medicine, prompting officials to explore ways to strengthen staffing in essential hospital specialties while maintaining South Korea’s position as a leading destination for medical tourism.

Credits: PA;

The country has attracted millions of overseas patients with high-quality care, competitive prices and short waiting times, making healthcare an increasingly important part of its economy. The rapid expansion has also prompted concerns that more doctors are choosing lucrative aesthetic medicine over hospital specialties, highlighting the challenge of balancing economic opportunities with broader healthcare needs.