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English-Speaking ENT in Gangnam, Seoul for Patients from the UK and Ireland

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

No GP gatekeeper, no waiting list

Under the NHS and the Irish public system, you normally see a GP first and wait for a referral to an ENT consultant, which can take months for non-urgent problems. In Korea, specialist outpatient clinics are the first point of contact. You can walk into an English-speaking ENT clinic like ours with a blocked ear or sore throat and see the specialist the same day.

The trade-off is cost at the point of care. The NHS does not fund treatment in Korea, and the UK GHIC and the European EHIC are not valid here, because they only apply within Europe. Irish and UK residents should travel with private travel insurance, or check whether an employer health policy covers Korea.

Who you will see

Consultations are with Dr. Kim Yoo Suk, the clinic's representative doctor. In UK terms, his background is closer to an academic consultant: he was a clinical assistant professor at Yonsei University and then an assistant professor at Ajou University School of Medicine, focusing on rhinology and endoscopic sinus surgery. He sees adults and children for all ear, nose and throat problems and speaks with patients in English. Examinations such as nasal endoscopy or a hearing test are often done during the same visit rather than booked separately.

Documents for your travel insurer

Insurers in the UK and Ireland usually ask you to pay first and claim afterward. Before leaving the clinic, request:

• An itemized receipt in English
• An English medical certificate with the diagnosis
• Copies of test results or records if the claim form asks for them

Many policies have an emergency assistance line you should call before planned treatment or surgery, so check your policy wording. More detail is in our insurance claim documents guide.

Common reasons British and Irish visitors see us

• Continental climate shock. The UK and Ireland have mild, damp winters. Seoul's winter is far colder and drier, and indoor heating dries the nose further, which can lead to nosebleeds and a crusty, blocked nose.
• Humid summers. July in Seoul is hot and wet, a setting where outer ear infections become more common, especially after swimming.
• Spring fine dust. Yellow dust and air pollution episodes can irritate the nose and throat; see fine dust rhinitis.
• Post-flight ear pressure after an 11 to 14 hour journey from London or Dublin.

Practical tips

• Bring your passport (or Residence Card if you live here). There is no NHS number equivalent to provide.
• Card payment is the norm. Contactless is widely used in Seoul.
• Medicines are dispensed by a separate pharmacy using the prescription you receive. Familiar products from UK chemists are often sold under different names here, so ask the pharmacist and bring a list of your usual medicines by generic name.
• Korean healthcare uses 119 for emergencies, not 999 or 112.

If you are moving to Seoul for work, our guide for expats covers national health insurance. Opening hours are on our location page, and the International Patients hub lists all guides.

Frequently asked questions

Is my GHIC or EHIC valid at a clinic in Seoul?

No. The UK GHIC and the European EHIC only cover state healthcare in Europe and some specific countries, and Korea is not one of them. Travel with private travel insurance, pay the clinic at the time of your visit, and claim back using the receipt and English medical certificate.

Do I need to see a GP before seeing an ENT in Korea?

No. Korean outpatient specialist clinics accept patients directly. If you have an ear, nose or throat problem you can walk in or message the clinic on WhatsApp to see the ENT doctor that day. Large university hospitals are different and often expect a referral letter.

Can I get a fit note or sick note in English?

The clinic can issue an English medical certificate that describes your diagnosis and treatment. Whether your UK or Irish employer accepts it as a fit note is up to them, so check what wording they need and mention it to the front desk when you request the certificate.

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.