The initiative comes in response to a sharp rise in medical tourism to South Korea.

According to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, some 1.76 million foreign patients visited medical institutions in Seoul in 2025.

The capital city accounted for 87.2% of all international patients coming to the country, which rose by 71.9% in 2025 to a record 2.01 million.

A U.S. traveler receives skincare treatment at Lienjang Clinic in Seoul, South Korea, April 29, 2026. Photo by Reuters

Unlike regular tourists, international medical travelers often need longer stays that match their treatment schedules, extra rooms for family members or caregivers, and quiet places to recover after surgery.

To address these needs, the Seoul Tourism Organization evaluated 40 applicant properties.

Korea Times reported that the approved places stand out for being near major hospitals, fully equipped for long recovery stays, and offer cooking and laundry facilities.

Guests can also benefit from round-the-clock emergency assistance, multilingual safety guidance, and private floors or lounges designed specifically for recovery.

Some locations even offer transportation assistance, including pickup and drop-off services to simplify travel after treatment.

The selected facilities span from luxury five-star properties to midrange and budget places.

The choices include the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, Andaz Seoul Gangnam, Park Hyatt Seoul, Hotel Naru Seoul - MGallery, and Yeouido Marriott Executive Apartments, besides boutique options such as UH Suite Insadong.

According to The Asia Business Daily, 11 of the 19 selected places are in Gangnam District, while the rest are spread across six other key districts in Seoul.

All 19 properties will be awarded medical-tourism certifications valid through 2027.