Seoul aims to become global hub for medical tourism with upcoming Medicon Festival

A promotional poster for the 2025 Medicon Festival / Courtesy of Korea Medical Tour Promotion Association

The 2025 Medicon Festival, hosted by the Korea Medical Tour Promotion Association and organized by Bioplus International, is set to take place on June 11 at B&VIIT Eye Center in Gangnam, Seoul. The festival, now in its second year, is designed to showcase the excellence of K-medical and K-beauty industries to a global audience and promote the sustainable growth of Korea’s medical tourism sector.

The festival will feature participation from six leading beauty and bio companies, including Bioplus International, Lululab, Nutrione, Charmacist, Zerone Cellvane, and The SC.

Fourteen hospitals and clinics, such as 365mc, Ruby Plastic Surgery, Mojelim Plastic Surgery, Minish Dental Clinic, Min&Min Skin Clinic Center, Banobagi Plastic Surgery, Banobagi Dermatology, B&VIIT Eye Center, Seye Clinic, Class One Clinic, Toxnfill Clinic, Dr. Newcell, Cheongdam Glassy Dermatology, and Thankyou Seoul Clinic, will also take part.

Notably, more than 150 global influencers are expected to attend, experiencing medical services firsthand and sharing content with millions of followers on social media in real time. The organizers aim for the festival to go beyond individual experiences, fostering collaborations between influencers, hospitals, and companies while boosting global trust in K-brands.

“The fusion of K-medical and K-beauty represents more than industrial value — it’s a platform for new global exchange grounded in culture and technology,” said Kim Jin-kuk, president of the Korea Medical Tour Promotion Association.

“Through the Medicon Festival, we will showcase the excellence of Korean medical care worldwide and build a medical tourism ecosystem where influencers, hospitals, and companies thrive together," he added.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of foreign patients visiting Korea for treatment in 2024 reached 1.17 million, marking a record high with a 93.2 percent increase from the previous year.

The most sought-after specialties were dermatology (25.4 percent), internal medicine (19.4 percent), plastic surgery (12.7 percent), health screenings (8.3 percent), obstetrics and gynecology (4.6 percent), orthopedics (4.3 percent), and ophthalmology (2.4 percent), highlighting a strong demand for both aesthetic and wellness services.

Patients from China, Japan, the United States, Russia, Vietnam, and Thailand accounted for more than 80 percent of all visitors, reflecting sustained demand from East and Southeast Asia.

The Korea Times will serve as the media partner for the event, helping to broadcast the festival’s energy and the global status of Korean medical care through domestic and international coverage.

This article is written by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.