What To Do When You Get Sick in Korea: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting sick in Korea can be stressful, especially when you’re far from home, dealing with a language barrier, and trying to navigate a healthcare system you’re not familiar with.
The good news? Getting medical care in South Korea is generally much easier than many foreigners expect. Clinics are widely available, appointments aren’t always necessary, and pharmacies are easy to find.
I learned this firsthand after spending nearly two months dealing with tonsillitis. What started as a minor sore throat turned into a much longer ordeal involving multiple clinic visits, medications, and eventually a visit to a larger ENT hospital.
Whether you have a cold, fever, sore throat, stomach bug, or another illness, here’s my step-by-step guide to what to do when you get sick in Korea.
Step 1: Pay Attention to Your Symptoms
When I first started feeling sick, I didn’t think much of it. I had a sore throat and some fatigue, so I assumed it would go away on its own.
Unfortunately, it didn’t.
What I initially thought was a minor illness eventually turned into tonsillitis that lasted for more than eight weeks.
If your symptoms are mild, getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids, and monitoring your condition may be enough. However, if your symptoms continue for several days, become significantly worse, or interfere with your ability to eat, drink, sleep, or work, it’s a good idea to see a doctor.
Don’t make the same mistake I did and simply hope a persistent illness will disappear.
Tip: If you develop severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe dehydration, confusion, chest pain, or other potentially life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Step 2: Find a Local Clinic (병원)
One of the best things about healthcare in Korea is how easy it can be to find a nearby clinic.
You don’t necessarily have to go to a large hospital for a common illness. Korea has thousands of smaller neighborhood clinics, and many accept walk-in patients.
You can use Naver Maps or KakaoMap to search for a clinic near you.
Here are a few Korean terms that can help:
- 내과 (Naegwa) – Internal medicine
- 이비인후과 (Ibiinhugwa) – Ear, nose, and throat (ENT)
- 가정의학과 (Gajeonguihakgwa) – Family medicine
- 소아청소년과 (Soacheongsonyeongwa) – Pediatrics
For example, when I was dealing with my tonsils, I searched Naver Maps for an 이비인후과 (ENT) near me.
Many clinics have convenient hours, including Saturdays, although hours vary by location. Some clinics may also close during lunch or have different weekend schedules, so it’s worth checking before you go.
Do You Need an Appointment?
Not necessarily.
Many smaller Korean clinics accept walk-ins, although some may use an appointment system. Larger hospitals and specialists are more likely to require appointments.
If you’re unsure, check the clinic’s Naver Maps listing or call ahead.
Bring Your ARC
If you’re a foreign resident in Korea, bring your Alien Registration Card (ARC) with you.
If you’re enrolled in Korea’s National Health Insurance, having your identification and insurance information available can make the registration process easier.
Step 3: Explain Your Symptoms
For many foreigners, the hardest part of visiting a Korean clinic isn’t actually seeing the doctor—it’s explaining what’s wrong.
I don’t speak perfect Korean, so I prepared a short explanation of my symptoms before going to the clinic.
This made the process much easier.
You can write down:
- When your symptoms started
- What symptoms you’re experiencing
- Whether they’re getting better or worse
- Any medications you’re currently taking
- Any allergies you have
- Whether you’ve experienced the same problem before
You can also use translation apps such as Papago or Google Translate.
I even showed my doctor photos and videos of my tonsils because it helped demonstrate what I had been experiencing.
Some Korean hospitals and clinics also have English-speaking staff or foreigner-friendly services, but availability varies.
Don’t be embarrassed about using a translation app. It’s much better to clearly communicate your symptoms than to struggle through an appointment because you’re worried about your Korean.
Step 4: Get Your Diagnosis and Prescription
After examining you, the doctor will determine what treatment is appropriate.
In my case, I was diagnosed with tonsillitis and was prescribed medication, including antibiotics during some of my visits.
However, antibiotics aren’t appropriate for every illness. Many common illnesses are caused by viruses, in which case antibiotics won’t help. Your doctor will determine whether medication is necessary based on your symptoms and examination.
If you’re given a prescription, you’ll usually take it to a nearby pharmacy, known as a 약국 (yakguk).
You can often find pharmacies close to clinics, and it’s common for several pharmacies to be located in the same neighborhood.
What Are Korean Medications Like?
One thing that surprised me was how medications are often packaged.
Rather than receiving a large bottle of pills like you might in the United States, Korean pharmacies often divide medications into individual packets based on when you’re supposed to take them.
The packets are typically labeled with instructions, making it easier to keep track of your doses.
Healthcare costs also vary depending on your treatment, insurance coverage, clinic, and medications. With National Health Insurance, many routine clinic visits and prescriptions can be relatively affordable compared with healthcare costs in the United States, although you shouldn’t assume every visit will fall within a specific price range.
Tip: If you’re unsure how to take a medication, ask the pharmacist to explain it to you. You can also use a translation app if necessary.
Step 5: Keep Track of Your Recovery
This is something I wish I had taken more seriously.
After my first round of treatment, I expected my tonsillitis to disappear. Instead, it came back.
Then it happened again.
Eventually, I went through multiple rounds of treatment, visited several doctors, and asked about additional testing to make sure there wasn’t a more serious underlying problem.
One ENT specialist eventually explained that my tonsils appeared to be particularly prone to infections.
The lesson?
Don’t ignore recurring symptoms.
If you finish treatment and your symptoms return, go back to the doctor and explain what happened.
It’s also okay to ask questions:
- Why are my symptoms coming back?
- Do I need additional testing?
- Should I see a specialist?
- Are there other treatment options?
- Should I visit a larger hospital?
You know your body better than anyone, so don’t be afraid to explain when something doesn’t feel right.
Step 6: Keep Your Medical Records and Prescriptions
If you end up visiting multiple clinics, keep your medical paperwork.
When I switched clinics, I brought my previous prescriptions and information about the treatments I’d already received. This helped the new doctor understand what I’d already tried.
If possible, keep:
- Prescription information
- Diagnosis documents
- Test results
- Imaging results
- Medication names
- Information about allergies
- Previous treatment instructions
Taking a photo of important documents can also be helpful.
This is especially useful if you don’t speak Korean fluently and need to explain your medical history to another doctor later.
Step 7: Give Yourself Time to Recover
This might be the hardest part—especially if you’re working in Korea.
I made the mistake of trying to push through my illness. Looking back, I probably would have recovered faster if I’d given my body more time to rest.
If you’re working in Korea, ask your doctor about documentation you may need for sick leave. Depending on your situation, the clinic may be able to provide medical documentation such as a 진단서 (jindanseo), or medical certificate.
Your employer may have specific requirements, so check with them about what documentation they need.
Most importantly, don’t feel like you have to prove that you’re sick by making yourself miserable.
Rest, drink plenty of fluids, take your medication as directed, and give your body a chance to recover.
When Should You Go to a Hospital?
For many everyday illnesses, a neighborhood clinic is a good place to start.
However, you may need to visit a larger hospital or specialist if your symptoms are severe, persistent, recurring, or require specialized testing or imaging.
Some larger hospitals in Seoul include:
- Seoul National University Hospital (서울대학교병원)
- Gangnam Severance Hospital (강남세브란스병원)
- Other university hospitals and specialty hospitals throughout Seoul
I eventually visited Hana ENT Hospital (하나이비인후과병원) because of my recurring tonsil problems. The more thorough examination gave me additional information and, more importantly, peace of mind.
If you need specialized care, ask your local clinic whether you should be referred to a larger hospital or specialist.
What About Emergencies?
A regular clinic isn’t the right place for a medical emergency.
If you’re experiencing a potentially life-threatening situation, seek emergency medical care immediately. You can also ask someone nearby to help you contact emergency services if you’re having trouble communicating in Korean.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Afraid to See a Doctor in Korea
Getting sick abroad can be intimidating.
You’re dealing with an unfamiliar healthcare system, possibly a language barrier, and the added stress of being away from your normal support system.
But after going through my own experience, I’ve learned that getting medical care in Korea doesn’t have to be scary.
There are clinics throughout Korean cities, pharmacies are easy to find, and many routine medical services are relatively affordable for people covered by National Health Insurance.
My biggest piece of advice is simple: don’t wait too long if you’re not getting better.
Find a nearby clinic, write down your symptoms, bring your ARC, use a translation app if you need one, and don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion if your symptoms continue.
And if you’re like me and somehow end up with tonsils that seem determined to get infected every few weeks, just remember—you aren’t alone!
Healthcare in Korea may take a little getting used to, but once you understand how the system works, you’ll probably find it much less intimidating than you expected.
Gabriel White, Marketing Assistant
Gabriel (Gabe) White is an English teacher in South Korea. He is a Korean, Puerto Rican-American from the Richmond, Virginia area and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Virginia Commonwealth University. Being involved in student organizations like Filipino Americans Coming Together at VCU (FACT@VCU) and VCU Globe during his college years, Gabe learned just how much he enjoys experiencing new cultures. In his free time, Gabe loves teaching local dance classes, spending quality time with his loved ones, exploring new cities, and watching nostalgic movies.