But why fly all the way to South Korea for medical care? Haemin Lee, CEO of Seoul-based travel planner Creatrip, says it ultimately comes down to cost and efficiency. While patients in many countries face referrals, insurance approvals and long wait times, many Korean screening centres offer complete comprehensive health checks in a single visit. Even better: healthcare in South Korea, ranked second best in the world by the 2025 CEOWorld Healthcare Index, is highly affordable thanks to its government regulation of medical prices. “The difference is significant,” says Lee. “In many cases, the price of a single MRI in the US can cover a comprehensive full-body screening in Korea… Even after factoring in airfare, it can still be more affordable.” Apart from the appeal of its high-rated healthcare and lower costs, Hyeonah Hong, Head of Division at Korea Medical Institute (KMI), says “Korea has a well-established prevention-focused healthcare system, providing an environment where diseases can be detected early.”
