How Korea Registers Clinics and Agencies for International Patients

If you are arranging care in Korea from abroad, you may encounter a clinic, a patient-support agency and the name KHIDI. They have different roles. Knowing which organization is responsible for each part of the process helps you direct your questions before you book.

The registration system covers institutions and agencies that attract international patients. It does not replace an assessment of the proposed treatment or the person providing it.

Registration is handled by city and provincial authorities

Under Article 6 of Korea's relevant law, medical institutions and patient-attraction agencies register with the relevant city or provincial authority. This is the law in effect from May 12, 2026. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has national policy and regulatory responsibilities; it is not the registration authority named in Article 6.

The requirements differ by organization type. They include specified specialist and medical-liability provisions for medical institutions, and requirements concerning guarantee insurance, capital and a domestic office for agencies. The statute provides a three-year registration period and renewal. Medical Korea's registration guidance explains the process.

Check the clinic and the agency separately

KHIDI, the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, provides information through Medical Korea. Its public directories include registered hospitals and clinics and registered facilitators.

If an agency is helping you arrange care, checking that agency does not also check the clinic. Match each organization's name and address with the organization you are actually communicating with. Ask for its current registration details if the English name, branch or contact information is unclear.

Keep the reply with your booking information. A name that sounds familiar is a poor substitute for identifying the organization responsible for your visit.

Accreditation is a separate question

Medical Korea also describes a separate accreditation program for international-patient services. A statement that an institution is registered does not, by itself, establish that it holds this accreditation.

If a clinic advertises an accreditation, ask which program it means and check its current listing. Keep that information separate from the treating clinician's name, qualifications and experience. An institution-level credential does not answer every question about an individual treatment.

The same applies to language support. Confirm the language available for consultation and consent, who provides interpretation if needed, when that support is available and whether a separate fee applies.

Identify who answers each question

The clinic should explain the clinical proposal, risks, consent and follow-up. A facilitator should explain the support it offers and the terms of that support. Ask each organization to identify the contact responsible for its part of the arrangement.

MyClinic's service description covers collecting clinic replies, preparing your Plan and helping with booking requests. A Plan can contain proposals still awaiting confirmation. An appointment is confirmed only when the clinic confirms it.

Before committing, make sure you can name the clinic providing care, the organization helping you arrange it, and the person or team to contact about each unresolved question.

Request your free MyClinic Plan for help collecting clinic information and quotes. Clinic fees are separate, and submitting a request does not confirm an appointment.