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English-Speaking ENT in Gangnam, Seoul for International Students

🌍 Welcoming patients from around the world · Consultations in English with Dr. Kim Yoo Suk, MD, former professor at Yonsei & Ajou University

Why students end up at the ENT

For many international students, the ENT clinic is the first Korean doctor they visit. Dorm life, crowded lecture halls, late-night study and a new climate mean plenty of sore throats, colds and blocked ears. In Korea, ENT clinics handle these everyday problems, and you can walk into one directly. Our English-speaking ENT clinic sees students for both minor and more persistent ENT conditions.

Who you will see

Your doctor is Dr. Kim Yoo Suk, a board-certified otolaryngologist who taught medical students and residents as a clinical assistant professor at Yonsei University and an assistant professor at Ajou University School of Medicine. He specializes in nose and sinus disease and treats all ear, nose and throat problems. He explains things in English and is used to answering questions in detail. If you are not sure whether a symptom is serious, or you want to understand why a medicine was prescribed, ask; a clear explanation is part of the consultation, and he only recommends the treatment you actually need. Students from Seoul's many universities find the clinic easy to reach by subway on Line 7 or the Suin-Bundang Line.

Health insurance for students

Since 2021, international students on D-2 and D-4 visas have generally been required to enroll in National Health Insurance, typically after a period of residence. Rules can change and your university may also require private student insurance, so check with your university's international office or NHIS. Read our NHIS guide for foreigners for details.

Step by step: a student visit

1. Bring your Residence Card (ARC), or passport if you have just arrived.
2. Come between classes; weekday hours are 09:00 to 19:00 except Wednesday (14:00 to 19:00), and Saturday 09:00 to 14:00.
3. Tell the doctor your symptoms, when they started, and any medicines you have already taken.
4. Pay at the desk and request any documents you need.
5. Fill your prescription at a pharmacy.

Documents for classes and exams

If you miss an exam or class, your professor or university may ask for proof. The clinic can issue an English medical certificate, and a Korean one if your department prefers. Ask for receipts too if your private student insurance reimburses costs.

Common student ENT problems

• Sore throat and tonsillitis spreading through dormitories
• Colds that drag on during the first dry winter
• Spring allergies from pollen and fine dust
• Voice strain for students who present, sing or teach part time
• Blocked ears after the flight to Korea or swimming in summer

See a doctor promptly if you have difficulty swallowing saliva, a muffled voice with one-sided throat pain, sudden hearing loss in one ear, or a high fever that does not settle; these can signal problems that need quick treatment.

Practical tips

• A Korean debit card or international credit card works for payment.
• Ask the pharmacist how to take each medicine; labels are in Korean.
• For emergencies, call 119.

Moving here long term? See our expat guide. Directions are on our location page, and the International Patients hub has more.

Frequently asked questions

Do international students have to join Korean health insurance?

International students on D-2 and D-4 visas are generally required to enroll in National Health Insurance, usually after a set residence period. Your university may also require private insurance. Check your status with your university's international office or the NHIS, since rules can change.

Can I get a medical certificate for a missed exam?

Yes. The clinic can issue an English medical certificate that states your diagnosis and the date of your visit. Korean versions are also possible. Ask what your department requires, such as specific dates or wording, and mention it when you request the certificate.

Is it worth seeing an ENT for a simple sore throat?

Most sore throats are viral and improve on their own within a week. An ENT visit helps if the pain is severe, lasts longer than a week, comes with high fever or swollen tonsils, or you have trouble swallowing. Dr. Kim can examine your throat and decide whether treatment is needed.

General information for international patients, reviewed by an ENT specialist. Insurance coverage and claim rules depend on your own insurer — please check with them. In an emergency in Korea, call 119.