Chinese Medical Tourism

[Anchor Lead]

Although the number of Chinese tourists in Korea has plunged over the diplomatic row stemming from the deployment of the U.S. missile defense system THAAD, medical tourism remains popular. Last year, the number of Chinese patients seeking healthcare services in Korea hit an all-time high.

[Pkg]

This Chinese woman came to Korea to undergo rhinoplasty. She chose a Korean hospital, because of the popularity of Korean culture and Korea's high medical standards.

[Soundbite] (Chinese Patient) : "I chose this hospital because my friend was very satisfied with the results of her plastic surgery she had received in Korea."

Despite the conflict over the deployment of the U.S. missile defense system in Korea, the number of Chinese patients in Korean hospitals recorded 127,000 last year, up 29 percent year-on-year. Although fewer Chinese patients are receiving plastic surgery, more and more patients are seeking treatment at gynecological and orthopedic clinics.

[Soundbite] Park Won-jin(Plastic Surgeon) : "Medical tourism will maintain its potential and influence when travel and visa restrictions are lifted."

Last year, more than 360,000 foreign patients received healthcare services in Korea, hitting an all-time high. A growing number of foreign doctors are also visiting Korea these days to learn medical technology first hand. This surgeon from Switzerland came to Korea to learn how to perform robot-assisted surgery.

[Soundbite] Surgeon from Switzerland

Medical tourism in Korea, which started from plastic surgery, has spread to advanced medical fields such as cancer and spine treatment.