Is South Korea good for medical?

Asked by: Dr. Jamarcus Glover I  |  Last update: November 29, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (35 votes)

The quality of South Korean healthcare has been ranked as being among the world's best. It had the OECD's highest colorectal cancer survival rate at 72.8%, significantly ahead of Denmark's 55.5% or the UK's 54.5%.

Is South Korea good in Medicine?

Introduction. The South Korean healthcare system is consistently ranked as one of the best in the world [ 1 , 2 ]. Despite this, criminal lawsuits in high-risk specialties, doctor shortages in essential medical specialties, and 80-hour work weeks are all part of a Korean doctor's reality.

What is the no. 1 disease in Korea?

As the leading cause of death in Korea [1], cancer has been a major public health concern in the country since 1983. 250,000 patients were newly diagnosed with cancer in Korea, and 27% of deaths were due to cancer in 2020 [2].

Are doctors respected in South Korea?

While they are admired and respected, they are also the target of envy and anger.” Doctors have prestige everywhere, but that is particularly true in South Korea. Kye Bongoh, a professor of sociology at Kookmin University in Seoul, attributes that to a strong belief in the educational hierarchy.

Do South Koreans have to pay for healthcare?

The health security system in Korea has two components: mandatory social health insurance and medical aid. The National Health Insurance (NHI) system provides healthcare coverage to all citizens. The major sources of NHI funding include contributions from those who are insured and government subsidies.

5 Reasons Why Korea Has the BEST Healthcare System

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How good is healthcare in Korea?

Where Does South Korea Rank in Healthcare? South Korea offers excellent medical services alongside low insurance premiums. This year, The Legatum Institute, a London-based think tank, ranked the health care in South Korea as the third best in the world.

Who has the best healthcare in the world?

The Legatum Prosperity Index 2023

According to the index, Singapore ranks first for healthcare, followed by Japan in second place and South Korea in third. In contrast, the United States ranks much lower, coming in at 69th place in this assessment. The full rankings are listed below.

Do doctors speak English in Korea?

The majority of Korean doctors have undergone training in the USA, Europe, Japan and other countries, so many speak English. If you are fluent in English, you can try to communicate with professors directly.

In which country are doctors most respected?

Here are the top 10 countries known to have the best doctors according to the World Population Review 2024:
  1. United States. The United States is often considered a global leader in the medical field. ...
  2. India. ...
  3. United Kingdom. ...
  4. Germany. ...
  5. France. ...
  6. Switzerland. ...
  7. Canada. ...
  8. Italy.

Why are South Korean doctors leaving?

February 20, 2024, marked the beginning of a major walkout of junior doctors—A devastating blow to the South Korean healthcare system. The move protested the government's announced plan to increase the annual medical school admission quota by 2,000 students for the next ten years.

Why do South Koreans live so long?

Although the steady increase in life expectancy was not affected by 2 recent economic recessions, in the early 1980s and late 1990s,3 the nation's industrialization and the subsequent improvements in living standards, nutrition, and health care have often been cited as major contributors to Koreans' remarkable ...

Are STDs common in Korea?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to pose significant public health challenges in Korea, with syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, Mycoplasma genitalium, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) being the most prevalent.

What is the main religion in South Korea?

The majority of South Koreans have no religion. Buddhism and Christianity (Protestantism and Catholicism) are the dominant confessions among those who affiliate with a formal religion.

Is South Korea medically advanced?

The quality of South Korean healthcare has been ranked as being among the world's best.

What study is South Korea best for?

Best courses in South Korea for international students
  • Korean Language and Cultural Studies. ...
  • Health and Medical Sciences. ...
  • Business and Management. ...
  • Economics and International Trade. ...
  • Hospitality and Tourism Management. ...
  • Design and Media. ...
  • International Relations and Political Science. ...
  • Life Sciences and Biotechnology.

Are Korean doctors paid well?

Measured by PPP, which takes into account local living costs, salaried specialists earned an average of $192,749 annually in 2020, According to the 2023 OECD Health Statistics report. That was 60 percent more than the OECD average. Korean GP salaries ranked sixth.

Which country is safest for doctors?

Some of the countries that are often considered among the best for doctors to work in include:
  • United States.
  • Canada.
  • Germany.
  • Australia.
  • United Kingdom.
  • Switzerland.
  • Denmark.
  • New Zealand.

Who is the richest doctor in the world?

The 5 richest physicians of 2024
  • Thomas Frist Jr., MD, $20.2 billion, founded Hospital Corp. ...
  • Patrick Soon-Shiong, MD, $5.8 billion, was a practicing physician before inventing the cancer medication Abraxane.
  • Gary Michelson, MD, $1.8 billion, is a retired orthopedic and spine surgeon who holds over 340 U.S. patents.

Which country has the best doctors in Asia?

Singapore is one of the countries with the best doctors in Asia.

Is being a doctor prestigious in Korea?

Being a doctor is now the most desired career in the eyes of young Koreans and their parents. The early admissions results for the 2024 school year showed the average competition rate of medical schools at 10 major universities was 46 to 1.

Can I survive with English in South Korea?

We can develop quite nice lives in Korea without needing to be proficient in the language. This is partly the fault of the Korean government. They don't offer much in the way of Korean language education for expats.

Can US doctors practice in Korea?

Under the current law, foreign doctors must graduate from a designated medical school in a designated country to practice medicine in Korea. They must then obtain their home country's medical license and pass the Korean Medical Licensing Preliminary Examination and the National Board Examination.

Which country is most advanced in medicine?

The answer to the question, “what country leads the world in medical innovation?” is the United States. Medical industry professionals all over the world would have to agree that the top medical technology currently being used around the world has ties to the U.S.

What is the healthiest country in the world?

According to the index, Spain takes the top spot as the healthiest country in 2024. This impressive feat is attributed to a robust public healthcare system, readily available preventive care, and the widely celebrated Mediterranean diet.