By Lee Hyo-sik
Staff Reporter
An increasing number of Koreans Are heading abroad for medical treatment as the wealthy seek better and more customized medical care and other services. More people are also taking online-based lectures operated by foreign educational institutions, reflecting greater demand among Koreans for classes taught in English.
According to the Bank of Korea (BOK) Sunday, the amount of money spent on various medical procedures overseas totaled $48.1 million in the first four months of the year, up 20 percent from $40.1 million for the same period last year.
Koreans' medical expenditure in foreign countries has continued to show an upward curve over the past few years. Last year's spending reached $133 million, up 11.6 percent from $119 million in 2006.
The central bank attributed the rise in overseas medical spending to growing needs among wealthier Koreans for higher quality and more diverse medical treatments and healthcare services.
Foreigners spent $20.1 million here on medical treatments and related services in the January to April period, up 20.4 percent from $16.7 million a year earlier.
Meanwhile, Koreans paid foreign schools and other educational institutions $49.6 million in the first four months of the year for online classes on various subjects, up nearly two-fold from $25.5 million the same period in 2006.
The central bank said an increasing expenditure reflects growing demand from workers and students here for lectures taught in English and other foreign languages.
Last year, foreign education institutions offering online classes earned $156 million, up 36.6 percent from $114 million in 2006.
Local schools made $21.4 million by providing foreigners with educational materials and services through the Internet during the January to April period.