Despite the 'Medical Crisis,' Plastic Surgery Thrived... Already Achieved 74% of Last Year's Revenue

Opening Speed Slows Down
2.4% Increase Last Year

As sales of domestic plastic surgery clinics continue to rise, this year, marked by a 'medical gap' caused by the mass resignation of residents, has already achieved 74% of last year's sales by July.

According to data on the status of domestic plastic surgery clinics received on the 16th by the office of Kim Mi-ae, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the People Power Party, from the National Health Insurance Service, the sales (total medical fees) of plastic surgery clinics amounted to 37.8 billion KRW up to July this year. This corresponds to 73.7% of last year's total sales of 51.3 billion KRW.

Photo by Asia Economy DB

Sales of plastic surgery clinics have been steadily increasing. In 2021, sales recorded 37 billion KRW, a sharp increase of 58% compared to the previous year (23.4 billion KRW). Last year's sales were nearly 2.6 times that of 2019 (19.8 billion KRW).

However, the opening of new plastic surgery clinics is slowing down. The number of plastic surgery clinics increased by 5.0%, from 1,011 in 2019 to 1,062 the following year. However, since 2021, the growth rate has steadily declined compared to the previous year. As of July this year, there are a total of 1,183 plastic surgery clinics, an increase of 16 clinics compared to one year ago.

Assemblywoman Kim Mi-ae emphasized, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare and related authorities should analyze the fundamental reasons behind the increase in the number and sales of plastic surgery clinics despite the COVID-19 pandemic and medical crisis, and include them in the detailed policies of medical reform."