Korean dermatology procedures, cosmetic surgery trends, and medical tourism
As the number of foreign patients in Korea surged from 120,000 in 2020 to 2.01 million in 2025, this publication examined the laws governing this market. Our review of the original texts of the law, its enforcement decree, and enforcement rules, along with all amendments, found no provisions that penalize foreign patients themselves.
Two Taiwanese broadcasters reported a woman's claim of developing facial nodules after receiving collagen biostimulator injections in Korea. This case circulated online in Taiwan alongside separate safety warnings from Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) and corrective actions by Korea's Fair Trade Commission. This article compares information from Korean and Taiwanese regulatory bodies and peer-reviewed literature to distinguish confirmed facts from unconfirmed claims.
Social media posts promoting Korean cosmetic procedures often display 'Korean government registered' and a registration number for credibility, but a Kagit.kr investigation found that out of 16,969 cumulative registrations, only 6,947 are currently active.
