[Hinews 하이뉴스] Gangnam has firmly established itself as a global hub for K-Medical tourism, attracting more than 37% (over 377,000) of all international medical tourists visiting Seoul. Under the slogan “WOW – World-class, One & Only, Wellness,” Gangnam offers not just treatment, but a holistic wellness journey combining health, healing, and cultural experiences.

“Gangnam is redefining medical tourism by blending world-class medical expertise with the cultural and emotional touch unique to Korea,” said Cho Sung-myung, Mayor of Gangnam District. “Through our ‘Gangnam-style medical tourism,’ we have become the heart of Korea’s global healthcare scene.”

◇World-Class Healthcare Recognized by the World

Of Korea’s 3,581 medical institutions, 1,021 in Gangnam are officially registered to serve international patients — a testament to its advanced infrastructure and internationally accredited safety standards.

To ensure seamless care for foreign visitors, Gangnam operates the Gangnam Medical Tour Center and the online platform “Medical Gangnam,” offering comprehensive concierge services such as interpretation, airport pickup, accommodation, and tax refund assistance.

A team of 57 global healthcare coordinators provides professional translation services in nine languages—including English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Vietnamese—minimizing any inconvenience throughout the treatment process.

◇“One & Only” Services Found Nowhere Else

Gangnam District has certified 149 partner institutions—including 122 medical centers and 27 hotels and tourism-related companies—based on strict evaluations of safety, service quality, and suitability for international patients.

These partnerships enable personalized 1:1 treatments and premium care programs tailored to each visitor’s needs, earning Gangnam high trust and satisfaction ratings from patients around the world.

In recognition of these achievements, Gangnam received the Grand Prize in Global Marketing (Local Government Category) at Medical Asia 2024—its ninth win since 2010, reaffirming its reputation as Korea’s No.1 medical tourism destination.

◇From Treatment to Healing – The “Wellness Route”

Gangnam’s medical tourism experience extends beyond medical treatment into recovery, leisure, and culture. Visitors can enjoy wellness-focused programs that combine medical services with spa treatments, K-beauty, health care, fine dining, shopping, and K-culture experiences such as personal color analysis and perfume-making workshops. This integrated approach allows travelers to experience Gangnam as a “City of Healing and Wellness.”

◇Gangnam Medical Tour Center – The Hub of Medical Tourism

Located near Apgujeong Station, the Gangnam Medical Tour Center serves as a comprehensive information hub for foreign visitors. Staffed with multilingual professionals fluent in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian, the center offers one-on-one consultations, hospital referrals, hotel reservations, and interpretation assistance through a one-stop service system.

Inside the center, visitors can also enjoy a medical device experience zone (AI skin analysis, body composition tests, scalp and eye care), a robot café, a mini library, and K-culture experience zones, creating a comfortable space for both consultation and relaxation.

◇“Medical Gangnam” – The All-in-One Online Platform

The comprehensive online platform allows international patients to access

•Information on certified institutions and costs.

•Consultation requests, interpretation, and pickup reservations.

•Promotional coupons.

The platform is Korea’s first local government–operated platform dedicated to medical tourism. Recently, it introduced an AI-powered conversational assistant service that provides overseas medical tourists with real-time information about medical tourism in Korea.

The platform supports real-time consultations via email and social media (LINE, Instagram, WhatsApp) in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.

◇Leading the Global K-Medical Wave

Since 2009, Gangnam District has designated the medical industry as a key growth driver, strengthening public-private cooperation and administrative support at the municipal level.

With its vision of “WOW – World-class, One & Only, Wellness,” Gangnam continues to evolve into a global healthcare and wellness hub, uniting cutting-edge medicine, culture, and lifestyle under one banner.