South Korea tourism board aims for 20% medical‑tourist share in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) announced at a 2026 Central Asia roadshow that it will strive to raise the proportion of medical tourists from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to above 20% in the medium term. The plan draws on Kazakhstan’s model, where medical tourists now represent more than 20% of Korean visitors, and seeks to replicate that success in the neighboring markets.

KTO’s medical‑wellness team leader Moon So‑yeon said, “Korean medical tourism is exploding in Central Asia,” adding that “in Kazakhstan the share of medical tourists exceeds 20% of inbound visitors.” The organization highlighted Uzbekistan’s fast‑growing economy and larger population as a promising opportunity. The initiative is expected to benefit from the upcoming first Korea‑Central Asia summit in Seoul this September, which will bring leaders of the five Central Asian countries together and could lower regulatory barriers for medical‑tourism flows.