Clinic guide for visitors

Feeling sick in Korea? Clinics by symptom and Korean phrases

Neighborhood clinics in Korea are divided by medical department, so you choose the department that fits your symptom and go there directly. This guide lists departments by symptom and Korean phrases you can show at the clinic.

1. Choosing a clinic

Check the department on the sign

2. By symptom

Table of departments

3. Emergencies

Call 119 or go to the ER

4. Korean phrases

Sentences to show the staff

Section 1

How to choose a clinic in Korea

First decide which department fits your symptom.

Local clinics are organized by department

You go directly to the clinic that fits your symptom: internal medicine or ENT for a cold, orthopedics for a sprain. Many clinics see patients in order of arrival without an appointment, but this differs by clinic.

Check the department name on the sign

Clinic signs include the department name, such as ○○내과의원 or ○○정형외과의원. Match it with the Korean names in the table below.

In an emergency, call 119

For difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, loss of consciousness and similar, do not choose a department: call 119 or go to an emergency room.

Section 2

Departments by symptom

These are the departments people usually visit. This is not a diagnosis, and you may be referred to another department after the consultation.

Symptom	Department (as on the sign)	Note
Cold, fever, body aches, cough	내과 · 가정의학과	Internal medicine or family medicine. Also the first place to go when you are not sure where to go.
Sore throat, runny or blocked nose, ear pain	이비인후과	ENT (ear, nose and throat), when these symptoms are the main problem.
Stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion	내과	Internal medicine. If symptoms are severe or you are worried about dehydration, use an emergency room.
Sprain, suspected fracture, back or joint pain	정형외과	Orthopedics. An X-ray of the injured area is often needed.
Rash, hives, itching, insect bites	피부과	Dermatology. Some dermatology clinics focus on cosmetic procedures, so ask first whether they treat skin conditions.
Red eye, eye pain, something in the eye	안과	Ophthalmology. If you wear contact lenses, take them out before you go.
Toothache, gum pain, broken tooth	치과	Dentistry. Dental clinics are run separately.
Cuts, wounds that need stitches	외과 · 응급실	Surgery or an emergency room. If the bleeding does not stop, go to an emergency room.
Women's health, pregnancy-related symptoms	산부인과	Obstetrics and gynecology. Tell reception if you are or may be pregnant.
Pain when urinating, blood in urine	비뇨의학과	Urology, for urinary symptoms.
When a child is sick	소아청소년과	Pediatrics, for children and adolescents.
Headache, dizziness	신경과 · 내과	Neurology or internal medicine. A sudden severe headache, paralysis or slurred speech is an emergency.
Anxiety, insomnia, low mood	정신건강의학과	Psychiatry. If you take medication, bring its name.

This table is general guidance, not a medical diagnosis. If symptoms are severe or you cannot judge, use an emergency room; if you cannot choose a department, start with internal medicine or family medicine.

Section 3

Symptoms that need an emergency room right away

Do not choose a department: call 119 or go to the nearest emergency room.

These symptoms are emergencies

Calling 119 is free and you can request an ambulance

Difficulty breathing
Severe chest pain or a tight feeling in the chest
Sudden weakness in an arm or leg on one side, or slurred speech
Fading consciousness or collapse
A large wound that will not stop bleeding, or a severe burn
A severe allergic reaction (swelling of the face or throat, shortness of breath)
A seizure that does not stop

Where to Go If You Get Sick While Traveling in Korea (emergency care guide)

Section 4

Korean phrases for the hospital

You can simply show these sentences to the staff.

At reception

처음 왔습니다.
This is my first visit.
외국인이고 한국 건강보험이 없습니다.
I am a foreigner and do not have Korean health insurance.
여권 여기 있습니다.
Here is my passport.
영어로 말할 수 있는 분이 계신가요?
Is there someone who can speak English?

Describing symptoms

여기가 아파요.
It hurts here.
어제부터 아팠어요.
It has hurt since yesterday.
열이 나요.
I have a fever.
기침이 나고 목이 아파요.
I have a cough and a sore throat.
배가 아프고 설사를 해요.
I have a stomachache and diarrhea.
토했어요.
I vomited.
어지러워요.
I feel dizzy.
넘어져서 다쳤어요.
I fell and hurt myself.

Things you must tell them

약 알레르기가 있어요.
I am allergic to a medicine.
지금 먹고 있는 약이 있어요.
I am taking medicine now.
임신 중이에요.
I am pregnant.
지병이 있어요.
I have a chronic condition.

After the consultation

처방전 주세요.
Please give me the prescription.
영수증과 진료비 세부내역서 주세요.
Please give me the receipt and the itemized statement.
가까운 약국이 어디예요?
Where is the nearest pharmacy?
다시 와야 하나요?
Do I need to come back?

Body part words

Point and use them with "It hurts here"

머리

head

목

throat / neck

가슴

chest

배

stomach

허리

lower back

팔

arm

다리

leg

눈

eye

귀

ear

이

tooth

Section 5

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1 Can I be seen without an appointment?

Many neighborhood clinics see patients in order of arrival without an appointment. However, this differs by clinic, and large hospitals often require an appointment, so it is best to check before you go.

Q2 What if I do not know which department to visit?

Start with internal medicine or family medicine. If needed, you can be referred to another department or a larger hospital. If symptoms are severe, do not choose a department; use an emergency room.

Q3 Can I be treated without Korean health insurance?

Yes. Visitors without health insurance pay the full cost themselves; bring your passport for identity verification at reception.

Q4 Is it a problem if I do not speak Korean?

Whether care is available in a foreign language differs by clinic. Show the Korean phrases on this page to the staff or use a translation app as well. You can also get interpretation help from the 1330 Korea Travel Helpline.

Q5 What if I get sick at night or on the weekend?

Some clinics are open at night or on holidays, but this differs by area and clinic. If your symptoms are urgent, use an emergency room, and if life is at risk, call 119.

Q6 Where do I get medicine after the consultation?

You receive a prescription at the clinic and take it to a pharmacy, where the medicine is dispensed. There is often a pharmacy near the clinic.

Q7 What should I keep for a travel insurance claim?

Before you leave Korea, get the medical receipt, the itemized statement and a document showing the diagnosis. Required documents differ by insurer, so check with your insurer.

Where to Go If You Get Sick While Traveling in Korea Travel Insurance Claim Documents After a Hospital Visit in Korea