Getting Sick in Korea as a Tourist: Pharmacies, Clinics and What to Say

If you get sick in Korea as a tourist, the usual path is simple: for minor problems (a cold, an upset stomach, a headache, a blister) go to a pharmacy (약국, yakguk); for anything that needs a diagnosis or a prescription, visit a neighbourhood clinic (의원, uiwon) or a hospital outpatient department; and for a real emergency call 119. Foreigners can use all of these without a Korean ID, you pay at the counter, and the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline can help with interpretation if language is the problem.

This guide walks through each option, what to bring, what to say, and how to keep the paperwork you will need for a travel insurance claim later.

First, decide how serious it is

Korea's healthcare system is busy but easy to enter. The main thing is to pick the right door:

Pharmacy – cold symptoms, sore throat, mild fever, indigestion, diarrhoea, motion sickness, small cuts, insect bites, muscle aches, allergies.
Clinic (의원) or hospital outpatient care – symptoms lasting more than a couple of days, a high fever, an ear or eye infection, a rash you don't recognise, anything that needs antibiotics or a prescription, or a minor injury you want checked.
Emergency room (응급실, eunggeupsil) – chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, a suspected broken bone, loss of consciousness, a severe allergic reaction. Call 119 for an ambulance.

If you are not sure, a pharmacist is a good first stop. They are trained professionals, they see foreign visitors every day in tourist areas, and they will tell you if you should see a doctor instead.

Using a Korean pharmacy

How to find one

Look for a sign with the character 약 (medicine), usually in green or red. Pharmacies are everywhere in Seoul and Busan, especially near hospitals, clinics and subway stations. On a map app, search 약국 or "pharmacy"; both Naver Map and Kakao Map show opening status. (Not sure which app to use? See our Naver Map vs Kakao Map guide.)

Most pharmacies close in the evening and many are closed on Sundays and public holidays, although a rota of pharmacies stays open on holidays. Late at night, your best bet is a pharmacy near a large hospital, or a convenience store (see below).

What happens inside

Korean pharmacies are mostly counter-service: you describe your symptoms and the pharmacist picks the medicine. You do not need a prescription for common over-the-counter products. The easiest approach is to show your symptoms on your phone in Korean, written with a translation app like Papago, or point to the phrases below.

Tell the pharmacist about any allergies, regular medication, or pregnancy. Ask how many times a day to take the medicine; the instructions on the box will usually be in Korean only.

Convenience store medicine

At night, 24-hour convenience stores such as CU, GS25 and 7-Eleven sell a small, approved range of basic medicines: common painkillers and fever reducers, cold medicine, digestive aids and pain-relief patches. The range is limited and the packs are small, but it can get you through the night. More on what else you can find in our Korean convenience store guide.

Seeing a doctor at a clinic

Clinics vs hospitals

Korea has a huge number of small private clinics, each run by a specialist. The sign tells you the specialty, so knowing a few words helps:

내과 (naegwa) – internal medicine: colds, fever, stomach problems. This is your default.
이비인후과 (ibiinhugwa) – ear, nose and throat.
피부과 (pibugwa) – dermatology: rashes, skin reactions.
정형외과 (jeonghyeong-oegwa) – orthopaedics: sprains, back pain, joint injuries.
안과 (angwa) – eye clinic.
치과 (chigwa) – dentist.
소아청소년과 (soa-cheongsonyeongwa) – paediatrics, if you are travelling with children.

Walk-ins are normal. You register at the front desk, wait (often not long), see the doctor, then pay at the desk on your way out. Large university hospitals are better for serious or complex problems, and several of them in Seoul run international clinics with English-speaking coordinators, but they are slower and more expensive for a simple cold.

What to bring

Your passport – clinics will ask for it to register you as a foreign patient.
A payment card or cash. As a visitor without Korean national health insurance you pay the uninsured rate, which is still usually moderate for a basic visit at a small clinic. Fees vary, so ask at the desk if you are worried.
A list of any medication you take and allergies, ideally translated into Korean.
Your travel insurance details.

Prescriptions

Clinics generally do not hand out medicine themselves. The doctor gives you a printed prescription (처방전, cheobangjeon), and you take it to any pharmacy, usually one right next door or downstairs. The pharmacist prepares the medicine, often in small daily sachets of pills, and explains how to take it.

Emergencies

For emergencies, dial 119 (ambulance and fire). For police, dial 112. Both can connect to interpretation services for foreign callers, and the 1330 hotline can also help you communicate in an emergency, though it is best to check its current hours and languages on the official Visit Korea website before your trip.

Emergency rooms at large hospitals are open 24 hours. Expect to be triaged, and expect to pay a higher fee than at a clinic. Hospitals usually ask for payment before you leave.

Getting language help

1330 Korea Travel Hotline – run by the Korea Tourism Organization, with operators in several languages. You can call and ask them to speak to the pharmacist or receptionist for you.
Translation apps – Papago and similar apps handle medical words reasonably well. Type short, simple sentences.
International clinics – major hospitals in Seoul have international healthcare centres with interpreters. Call ahead.

Useful Korean phrases

아파요 (apayo) – It hurts / I'm sick.
여기가 아파요 (yeogiga apayo) – It hurts here (point).
열이 나요 (yeori nayo) – I have a fever.
감기 걸렸어요 (gamgi geollyeosseoyo) – I have a cold.
배가 아파요 (baega apayo) – My stomach hurts.
설사해요 (seolsahaeyo) – I have diarrhoea.
두통이 있어요 (dutong-i isseoyo) – I have a headache.
알레르기가 있어요 (allereugiga isseoyo) – I have an allergy.
영어 하는 의사 있어요? (yeong-eo haneun uisa isseoyo?) – Is there an English-speaking doctor?
영수증 주세요 (yeongsujeung juseyo) – A receipt, please.

For everyday travel phrases, see Korean Phrases for Travel: 30 Basics That Actually Help.

Paperwork for travel insurance

Most travel insurers want proof of what you paid for and why. Before you leave the clinic or hospital, ask for:

A receipt (영수증, yeongsujeung) with an itemised breakdown (진료비 세부내역서, jillyobi sebu-naeyeokseo).
A medical certificate or diagnosis note (진단서, jindanseo) or a simpler doctor's note (소견서, sogyeonseo). There may be a small extra fee, and an English version may or may not be available.
Your pharmacy receipt as well.

It is much easier to ask on the spot than to request documents after you fly home.

Quick tips

Pack a small kit from home with your usual painkiller, plasters and any prescription medicine in its original packaging.
Save 119, 112 and 1330 in your phone before you land.
Write your allergies and medications in Korean on your phone so you can show them instantly.
Look for 내과 on a clinic sign when you have a cold or fever.
Always ask for receipts and a diagnosis note if you plan to claim insurance.
Late at night, a convenience store or a pharmacy near a big hospital is your best option for basic medicine.

LUMI from POPORO CITY says: "Feeling unwell far from home is scary. Breathe, find the green 약 sign, and let the pharmacist help."

FAQ

Can foreigners use Korean pharmacies without a prescription?

Yes. Over-the-counter medicines such as cold remedies, painkillers and digestive medicine are sold to anyone. Prescription-only medicines need a prescription from a Korean doctor.

Do I need Korean health insurance to see a doctor?

No. Tourists can visit clinics and hospitals freely. You simply pay the uninsured price, then claim it back from your travel insurance if your policy covers it.

Is there an English-speaking doctor in Seoul?

Many Korean doctors read and speak some English, especially in central Seoul. For a guaranteed English-speaking service, contact the international clinic of a large university hospital, or call 1330 for help finding one.

Can I bring my own medicine into Korea?

Personal amounts of ordinary medicine are generally fine, but some ingredients are restricted. Keep medicine in its original packaging with a copy of your prescription, and check the latest rules with the Korean embassy or customs service before you travel.

What number do I call in a medical emergency?

Call 119 for an ambulance. If you struggle with Korean, say "English" clearly, or ask the 1330 hotline to help interpret.

This guide is general travel information, not medical advice. If you are unsure, see a doctor or call 119.