South Korea medical tourism benefits concentrated in Seoul

South Korea's medical tourism market is experiencing significant growth, with total expenditures by foreign patients and their companions estimated at 12.5 trillion won. However, the economic benefits are heavily concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, exacerbating regional disparities.

Data provided by the Korea Tourism Organization to National Assembly member Cho Kye-won shows that the proportion of foreign medical tourists visiting the Seoul area rose from 49.8% in 2021 to 87.2% in 2025. In contrast, Incheon's share dropped from 5.9% to 1.3%, and Gyeonggi Province's share fell from 17.2% to 2.7% during the same period.

Qualitative indicators also show a widening gap. The average spending per case in Seoul doubled from 250,000 won in 2021 to 503,000 won in 2025. Meanwhile, Incheon saw a decline in per-case spending, falling from 154,000 won in 2021 to 125,000 won in 2025. Non-metropolitan regions face even steeper challenges; Jeonnam has recorded the lowest visitor ratios for five consecutive years, remaining in the 0% range.

Representative Cho emphasized the need for policies to distribute these economic benefits to provinces, suggesting models that combine medical services with local tourism resources to promote balanced national development.