Targeting the North American Market, Including the United States and Canada
Maximizing Efforts to Attract Chinese Patients
The National Institute for Korean Medicine Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, has taken proactive steps to strengthen the international competitiveness of Korean medicine and expand its presence in the global market.
On May 12, the two organizations announced the selection of three overseas medical institutions for the "Korean Medicine Overseas Expansion Support Project" and four medical institutions to attract Chinese patients, accelerating the implementation of the initiative.
The newly selected overseas medical institutions are Kyunghee Bubu Korean Medicine Clinic (United States, Phase 2), Banpo Newborn Korean Medicine Clinic (United States, Phase 1), and Jetong Korean Medicine Clinic (Canada, Phase 2), totaling three institutions.
Since last year, the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development and the Ministry of Health and Welfare have supported the establishment and local settlement of Korean medicine clinics in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Vietnam. This year, they have expanded their support to North America, including the United States and Canada, further strengthening their efforts to enter the global market.
Overseas local Korean medicine treatment scene. Provided by the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development
In particular, the selected institutions in the United States and Canada have already completed preliminary preparations such as obtaining permanent residency, acquiring acupuncture licenses, and conducting market research. They will receive a total of 90 million won in project funding, as well as practical support including legal consultation for opening clinics and consulting services related to pharmaceutical and medical device export permits and regulatory compliance.
Last year, approximately 33,000 foreign patients visited Korea, marking a significant increase of about 85% compared to the previous year. This is the largest number since Korea began actively attracting foreign patients in 2009.
As part of these efforts, four medical institutions located in areas with high accessibility for tourists and extensive experience in attracting foreign patients from Japan, China, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia have been newly selected as institutions to attract Chinese patients.
The selected institutions are Duna Korean Medicine Clinic (Seoul), Myeongdong Siwon Korean Medicine Clinic (Seoul), Bonline Korean Medicine Clinic (Seoul), and Slimfit Korean Medicine Clinic (Busan).
The selected institutions will be provided with a variety of customized programs, including patient attraction programs that combine medical treatment and tourism, local promotions in China, familiarization tours for buyers from Chinese-speaking regions, and one-stop services supporting everything from patient consultations to post-return inquiries.
A representative from the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development stated, "In response to the recent sharp increase in foreign tourists, we will work closely with attraction institutions and local governments to provide practical support for revitalizing Korean medical tourism."
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