South Korea Medical Tourism Surges 50% as Foreign Visitor Spending Reaches Record Highs

South Korea’s medical tourism market is set to enter a period of explosive growth after registering a phenomenal 50 percent increase in overseas spending on health care, beauty treatments, and premium services. South Korea medical tourism market is witnessing a turnaround as an increasing number of Chinese visitors are returning to the country, spurred by an influx of healthcare, beauty, and premium service expenditures. The value of spending by international tourists in South Korea rose sharply by more than a half in the first half of 2026, indicating a significant shift in dynamics in South Korea’s international tourism market. International tourist expenditure in South Korea grew at an extraordinary pace, reflecting a surge in demand for premium services and medical tourism in particular. Foreign Visitor Spending Reaches New Heights As Tourism Recovery Accelerates South Korea recorded a significant increase in international tourism spending during the first half of 2026, with foreign-issued card transactions showing strong growth across multiple sectors. Data analysed by BC Card from 3.3 million foreign-issued cards revealed that total spending by international visitors increased 53.6% year-on-year, while the number of transactions rose 40.3% compared with the same period in 2025.