Sourcing & Guides

【South Korea 】Foreign Medical Spending in South Korea Hits Record KRW 251 Billion in May, Driven by K-Pharmacy Boom

Jun 14, 2026Local score 9.5

Source image preserved for article context.

Editor's note

This month's record spending, sourced from the Korea Tourism Organization's Korea Tourism Data Lab, underscores a critical shift for buyers: pharmacies now drive 69.8% of transactions, signaling a new distribution channel for OTC dermatological products. The regulatory question remains whether export rules for these items will adapt to surging demand, while supply-chain risks emerge as regional hubs like Busan and Gyeonggi begin to diversify sourcing away from Seoul.

Foreign medical spending in South Korea reached a record KRW 251.1 billion (approx. USD 190 million) in May 2026, marking the third consecutive month above KRW 200 billion. The surge is fueled by a sharp rise in pharmacy visits, where foreign tourists spend heavily on dermatological creams, acne treatments, and anti-fouling agents, alongside traditional aesthetic clinics. This trend signals growing demand for Korean medical aesthetics products among overseas buyers.

Market signal

According to the Korea Tourism Organization's Korea Tourism Data Lab, foreign medical spending in May totaled KRW 251.16 billion, up 0.5% from April and 74.6% year-on-year. Dermatology accounted for 57.8% of spending, followed by plastic surgery (18.0%) and pharmacies (12.9%). Pharmacy share hit a record 12.9%, up from just 4.9% in January 2025. By nationality, Chinese tourists spent the most (KRW 63.6 billion), followed by the US (KRW 46.2 billion), Japan (KRW 32.9 billion), Taiwan (KRW 29.7 billion), and Singapore (KRW 14.5 billion).

Pharmacy boom: 69.8% of all medical transactions

영어와 중국어로 쓰인 약품 안내문(서울=연합뉴스) 이상서 기자 = 지난 13일 서울 마포구 홍대입구역 근처 약국에 외국어로 소개된 약품 설명서. 2026.06.13. [email protected] (끝)

Pharmacies now account for 69.8% of all foreign medical transactions, up from 4.9% in early 2025. A pharmacist near Hongdae Station told Yonhap: "Foreign tourists frequently buy artificial tears, anti-fouling creams, and acne treatments not sold at Olive Young. Some spend hundreds of thousands of won per visit." In Myeongdong, a Chinese staff member noted: "It's common to see tourists pack KRW 400,000 worth of products as gifts before departure."

What buyers should watch

For overseas importers and distributors, the data highlights a growing preference for Korean OTC dermatological products, including skin regeneration creams, acne treatments, and anti-fouling agents. These items are increasingly purchased alongside aesthetic clinic visits, suggesting bundled sourcing opportunities. The Korea Tourism Organization is expanding medical tourism partnerships with cities like Goyang and Busan, which may diversify regional supply channels.

약국 쇼핑 중인 외국인들(서울=연합뉴스) 이상서 기자 = 지난 13일 서울 중구 명동 지하상가의 한 약국에서 외국인들이 가방에 구매한 상품을 넣고 있다. 2026.06.13. [email protected] (끝)

Sourcing context

Seoul remains the dominant hub (88.4% of spending), but Busan (5.0%) and Gyeonggi (3.1%) are emerging. The trend underscores the importance of Korean pharmacies as a distribution channel for medical aesthetics consumables. Buyers should monitor regulatory updates on OTC product exports and consider partnerships with Korean pharmacy chains or OEM manufacturers to capitalize on this demand.

Source: Read the original report | Published: June 14, 2026