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English-Speaking ENT in Gangnam, Seoul for Families Traveling with Children

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

Children and ENT care in Korea

In many countries a sick child goes first to a pediatrician or family doctor. In Korea, parents often take children straight to an ENT clinic for ear pain, runny noses, coughs and sore throats. ENT clinics are used to small patients and do quick examinations of the ears and nose. You can visit our English-speaking ENT clinic without a referral.

Dr. Kim Yoo Suk is a board-certified otolaryngologist and former Yonsei and Ajou University professor. While his subspecialty is rhinology, he treats ear, nose and throat problems in adults and children and explains findings to parents in English. He recommends only the treatment a child actually needs; many ear infections and colds settle with careful observation and symptom relief, and antibiotics or procedures are used when the examination supports them.

Common childhood ENT problems while traveling

• Ear infections. Acute otitis media often follows a cold. Signs include ear pain, tugging at the ear, fever and irritability.
• Fluid behind the eardrum. Otitis media with effusion can cause muffled hearing after an infection or a flight. Tympanometry checks middle ear pressure painlessly.
• Enlarged adenoids and tonsils, which can cause snoring, mouth breathing and recurrent infections; see enlarged adenoids.
• Nosebleeds in dry winter air, especially in children who pick or rub their noses.
• Swimmer's ear after pools and water parks in summer.

Flying with children

Children's Eustachian tubes are shorter and narrower, so they are more prone to ear pain during descent. Helpful measures include breastfeeding or bottle-feeding babies during takeoff and landing, offering older children water, a lollipop or chewing gum if age-appropriate, and keeping them awake during descent so they swallow more. If your child has an active ear infection, see a doctor before flying. Our flying guide has more tips.

Step by step: bringing your child in

1. Bring the child's passport or Residence Card and any vaccination or medical history you have.
2. Note symptoms, fever readings and medicines given, including doses and times.
3. Bring a favorite toy or tablet; ear exams are quick but some children are nervous.
4. After the consultation, pay at the desk and request receipts or an English certificate if needed.
5. At the pharmacy, confirm the correct dose for your child's weight; children's medicines are often syrups.

When to seek urgent care

Call 119 or go to an emergency department if your child has difficulty breathing, drooling with inability to swallow, a stiff neck, swelling behind the ear pushing it forward, high fever with lethargy, or bleeding that will not stop after 20 minutes of pressure.

Documents and insurance

If your family is covered by travel or international health insurance, ask for an itemized receipt, an English medical certificate and copies of results. Expat families enrolled in National Health Insurance should bring the child's Residence Card so coverage can be applied.

Expat parents can also read our guide for expats in Seoul. Hours and directions are on our location page, and more topics are on the International Patients hub.

Frequently asked questions

Do ENT clinics in Korea see young children?

Yes. In Korea, ENT clinics routinely see children for ear infections, colds, sinus problems and sore throats. Dr. Kim treats ear, nose and throat problems in both adults and children and explains findings to parents in English. Bring your child's passport or Residence Card.

My child's ear hurt badly on the flight to Seoul. Should we see a doctor?

Mild pain that settles within hours after landing is common. See a doctor if pain continues, your child has a fever, there is fluid from the ear, or hearing seems reduced. An examination can check the eardrum and middle ear for infection or fluid.

Can I fly home with a child who has an ear infection?

It may be painful, and in some cases doctors advise waiting or starting treatment first. Have the ear examined before the flight. The doctor can recommend pain relief, discuss timing and give tips such as feeding or drinking during descent to help the ears equalize.

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.