In Seoul you’ll find a wide variety of medical facilities and services that cater or aim to help the expat community. These include hospitals, private specialist practises and other medical services. Of course, the majority of practises catering to expats will be found in expat communities like Yongsan-gu, Jongno-gu and other areas largely populated by expats. Here are some of the best known areas of medical service in Seoul:
Hospitals
It should be noted that all major hospitals in Seoul will generally have an international clinic on the premises. These are fully functioning hospitals, and since all doctors speak at least some English, the international clinics are usually there just to help expats go to the right doctor and to help navigate the hospital and its services. These hospitals are quite large and can feel very impersonal, but they will generally have any kind of specialist you may need.
Seoul Choongang Hospital: Songpa-gu. This hospital has an international clinic that is open Monday to Friday from 9 to 4:30. International clinic telephone: 3010-5001. Website: http://www.amc.seoul.kr/eng/
Samsung Medical Centre: Gangnam-gu. The international clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. International clinic telephone: 3410-0200. Website: http://english.samsunghospital.com/
Hanyang University Hospital: Seongdong-gu. The international clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. International clinic telephone: 2290-9553.
Seoul National University Hospital: Jongno-gu. The international clinic is open from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday to Friday, and 9 AM to noon on Saturdays. International clinic telephone: 760-2890. Website: http://www.snuh.org Seoul National University also has a children’s hospital. For more information you can visit their website.
Soonchunyang University Hospital: Yongsan-gu. The international clinic is open from Monday to Friday (8:30 AM to 5:30 PM) and on Saturdays (9 AM to 12:30 PM). International clinic telephone: 3497-3600
General Practitioners/Private Clinics
There are smaller clinics and private GP’s found around Seoul that also cater mainly to expats. You’ll find their English (or Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, etc.) much better than most doctors, which makes the average expat feel more comfortable going to these clinics.
Dr. Kim’s International Clinic: Yongsan-gu. This clinic specializes in general medicine and psychiatry for foreigners and has a good reputation among the expat community. To make an appointment, please call: 790-0857. Website: http://www.internationalclinic.co.kr/
Seoul Foreign Clinic: Yongsan-gu. Also specializing in general medicine and psychiatry. You can find this clinic just after entering the UN Village in Yongsan-gu, near Itaewon and Hannam subway stations. The 110 bus stops almost right in front of the clinic. To make an appointment, please call: 796-1871.
Seoul Polyclinic: Located in Insa-dong, Jongno-gu on on the third floor of the Han-ro building (194-4). Specializes in medical tests – a good place to go if your job requires you to get a medical exam.
To make an appointment, call: 732-3030
Dr. Sung’s Obstetric and Gynecology Clinic: Yongsan-gu. Specializes in women’s health and pregnancy. Has a good reputation among expat women. To make an appointment, you can call: 790-0802
Dental Care
Dental care in Seoul can be much less expensive than in other countries, and for many expats, the larger, more expensive procedures are covered by their medical insurance from their jobs.
A Plus Dental Clinic: Gangnam-gu. Specializes in all areas of dentistry, including TMJ joint relief and orthodontry. Open weekdays from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM and on Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 4 PM. To make an appointment, please call: 3442-7616
HusHu Dental Clinic: Gangnam-gu. Located in Apgujeong, this clinic specializes in everything from general to cosmetic dentistry. HusHu is a favorite with expats. Their super modern office really makes you feel like you are getting the best of the best when it comes to dental care. Open Monday to Thursday from 10 AM to 9 PM, on Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM and on Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. For an appointment call: 1588-7464. Website: http://english.hus-hu.com/
Tufts Dental Clinic: Gangnam-gu. Located at the COEX Mall, this clinic specializes in all forms of dentistry and treats patients of all ages. Open Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM and on Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 4 Pm. For appointments, call: 553-7512. Website: http://www.tuftsdental.net
Optical Care
In Seoul, if you’re merely looking for a new prescription and a new pair of glasses/contact lenses, you don’t need to visit an ophthalmologist as they test your eyes at optical shops (and it’s free of charge). At these shops, they sell glasses and contact lenses and also make sure your prescription hasn’t changed since your last pair of glasses. If you require optical testing you should visit one of the following ophthalmologist:
Seer & Partner: Gangnam-gu. Specializes in English speaking optical service for any optical problems you may have. Open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 6:30. Recommended by expats for excellent standard of care and English speaking service. To make an appointment, call: 511 0567.
Dr. Kong’s Eye Clinic: Located in Jongro-gu in the Injoo Building, 111-1 Seorin-dong. They offer drivers license eye exams for expats, as well as lasik and other refractive surgical procedures. There are three locations to make things more convenient for you: Two in Jong-ro and one one in Kang-dong. The newest one is located just one one block from Seoul City Hall. To make an appointment call: 733-5411 (ask for an English speaker).
It should also be noted that in all major hospitals there are eye clinics with optical practitioners who usually speak enough English to communicate with you.
