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How to See a Gynecologist in Korea as a Foreigner
Quick answer: In Korea, most women see a gynecologist at a local OB-GYN clinic (산부인과의원) without a referral. You can usually book online or by phone, bring your passport or residence card, and pay a small fee if you have national insurance. Eunice Women's Clinic near Seongsu Station offers consultations in English with a female OB-GYN, Dr. Eun Mi-na.
How does gynecology care work in Korea?
Korea has a direct-access system. You do not need a family doctor or a referral to see a gynecologist. Women go straight to an OB-GYN clinic for routine checkups, period problems, infections, contraception, and early pregnancy care. In Korean, an OB-GYN clinic is called 산부인과(san-bu-in-gwa). This single word covers both obstetrics and gynecology, so you will see it on signs everywhere in Seoul.
There are three main levels of care:
- Clinics (의원, ui-won): small, doctor-owned practices. They handle most everyday women's health needs. Waiting times are usually short.
- Hospitals (병원, byeong-won): larger facilities that may offer delivery, surgery, and inpatient care.
- University or general hospitals (대학병원, dae-hak byeong-won): tertiary centers for complex cases. Visiting them without a referral letter from a clinic usually costs more under national insurance.
For most concerns, a clinic is the right first step. If you need surgery or delivery, the clinic doctor can write a referral to a hospital.
Do I need to speak Korean?
Not always, but language is the most common barrier. Many Korean doctors read medical English well, but spoken consultations in English vary from clinic to clinic. Front-desk staff often speak mainly Korean. Helpful steps:
- Search for clinics that state they offer consultations in English.
- Book by chat (for example, a KakaoTalk channel) so you can use a translation app.
- Write your symptoms, medications, and last period date before the visit.
- Learn a few key words. Our guide to Korean phrases at the gynecologist can help.
At Eunice Women's Clinic, Dr. Eun Mi-na sees patients in English. Booking can be done through Naver Booking, the KakaoTalk channel, or by phone at +82-2-467-3100. Read more about how English-language care works at the clinic.
What should I bring to the appointment?
- Your Alien Registration Card (residence card) or passport. This is needed to register and to apply national insurance.
- A list of current medications, including birth control pills.
- The first day of your last menstrual period.
- Any previous test results, especially recent Pap or HPV results from your home country.
- A payment card or cash.
How much does it cost?
If you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance (NHIS), a basic clinic visit usually costs a modest copayment. Some services are not covered by insurance, such as contraception consultations, many vaccines, and some ultrasounds when they are not medically indicated. Clinics in Korea must display their non-covered fees. See our guide to gynecologist costs in Korea and the clinic's fee list in English.
What services can a Korean OB-GYN clinic provide?
| Need | Usually handled at a clinic? |
|---|---|
| Vaginal infections, discharge, itching | Yes |
| Pap smear, HPV test, STD testing | Yes |
| Birth control, IUD insertion, emergency contraception | Yes |
| Pregnancy confirmation and early ultrasound | Yes |
| Breast and thyroid ultrasound | Often yes |
| Delivery and major surgery | No, referral to a hospital |
Eunice Women's Clinic is a primary-care OB-GYN clinic. It does not deliver babies. For delivery, surgery, or hospital-level care, the clinic refers patients to partner hospitals.
Can I choose a female doctor?
Yes. Many clinics in Seoul are run by female OB-GYNs, and it is normal to ask about this when booking. Dr. Eun Mi-na, the Director of Eunice Women's Clinic, is a female, board-certified OB-GYN. You can read about her training on the Dr. Eun Mi-na profile page.
What if it is urgent?
For heavy bleeding with dizziness, severe abdominal pain, fainting, or high fever, call 119 for an ambulance or go to a hospital emergency room. Clinics are not emergency facilities. For non-emergency health information, the KDCA hotline is 1339. Seoul's 120 Dasan Call Center offers help in English, and the Korea Travel Hotline 1330 can also help visitors. Service details can change, so check current information.
How do I find a clinic near me?
Open Naver Map or KakaoMap and search for 산부인과. Check the listed hours and whether online booking is available. Clinics near subway stations are easy to reach. Eunice Women's Clinic is on the 8th floor of Bethel Place, about a 1-minute walk from Exit 3 of Seongsu Station on Line 2.
For a step-by-step walkthrough of the visit itself, read your first gynecology visit in Korea.
Book an appointment in English
Eunice Women's Clinic · 8F Bethel Place, 120 Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul · Seongsu Station (Line 2) Exit 3
Phone: +82-2-467-3100 · KakaoTalk channel · Naver Booking
Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00–19:00 · Tue & Thu 10:00–20:00 · Sat 10:00–14:00 · Lunch 13:30–14:30 · Closed Sundays & public holidays
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to see a gynecologist in Korea?
No. You can book directly with an OB-GYN clinic (산부인과) without a referral. A referral letter is mainly needed if you want to visit a large university hospital at the regular national insurance rate. For most routine concerns, a local clinic is the usual first step.
Can tourists see a gynecologist in Korea?
Yes. Short-term visitors can see a gynecologist at a clinic by showing a passport. Without Korean national insurance, you pay the full fee yourself. Keep your receipt and request an English medical certificate if you plan to claim from travel insurance.
Are gynecology clinics in Korea open on weekends?
Many clinics open on Saturday mornings, and some offer evening hours on weekdays. Eunice Women's Clinic is open Saturday 10:00 to 14:00 and until 20:00 on Tuesday and Thursday. Most clinics close on Sundays and public holidays.
Is it normal to have a transvaginal ultrasound at a Korean gynecologist?
Ultrasound is used very often in Korean OB-GYN clinics, and a transvaginal ultrasound is common for pelvic exams. If you are not comfortable, or if you have never been sexually active, tell the doctor. Other options, such as an abdominal ultrasound, may be possible.
How do I say gynecologist in Korean?
An OB-GYN clinic is 산부인과 (san-bu-in-gwa). A gynecologist doctor is often called 산부인과 의사 (san-bu-in-gwa ui-sa). You can type 산부인과 into Naver Map or KakaoMap to find clinics near you.
Related pages
- First Gyn Visit in Korea
- Gynecologist Cost in Korea
- English-speaking care
- Dr. Eun Mi-na
- Gynecology Consultation
This page provides general health information for patients and does not replace a consultation with a doctor. Individual results vary. If you have severe pain, heavy bleeding, fainting or other urgent symptoms, call 119 or go to the nearest emergency room. Page updated September 2026.