Pharmacy emerges as Korea's new must-visit place for foreign tourists
Korean pharmacies, renowned for their high-quality yet affordable products, have become must-visit destinations for foreign tourists interested in skincare. They are also increasingly favored by consumers seeking gentle, clinically tested formulations that address acne, pigmentation and post-procedure recovery. Foreigners’ medical spending in Korea has seen a sharp rise in recent years. According to the Korea Tourism Data Lab, the number of medical transactions by international visitors jumped nearly fivefold — from 593,577 in 2020 to 2,929,831 in 2024. In August alone, over 309,000 cases were recorded. Pharmacies accounted for the largest share of this spending, making up nearly 59 percent of all foreign medical consumption in the first half of the year, followed by dermatology clinics at 22 percent. The total amount spent at pharmacies during this period also surpassed 60 billion won ($43 million). Reflecting this trend, online travel platform Creatrip recently added a pharmacy category, joining hands with recommended pharmacies across Seoul and Busan that offer foreign tourists i
Oct 5, 2025By Kwak Yeon-soo