Seoul—The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to significantly expand its medical tourism interpreter workforce as part of efforts to strengthen services for foreign patients seeking treatment in the South Korean capital.
City officials announced that the number of medical tourism interpreter-coordinators will increase to around 1,000 this year, representing a tenfold jump from the current pool of just over 100 interpreters assisting international patients.
The initiative aims to address language barriers and provide smoother medical experiences for the growing number of foreigners visiting Seoul for healthcare services. Interpreter-coordinators help patients with medical consultations, translation during treatment, and overall coordination between hospitals and international visitors.
Seoul has emerged as the center of South Korea’s medical tourism industry. In 2024 alone, about 1.17 million foreign patients visited the country, with roughly 85 percent receiving treatment in Seoul, according to city data.
To support the expansion, the city government is working with the K-Medical Tourism Association to train and deploy the new coordinators. The expanded workforce will provide interpretation in multiple languages including English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Arabic to meet the needs of a diverse patient base.
Authorities also plan to introduce a medical tourism integrated platform, which will serve as a one-stop portal for information on hospitals, visa support, accommodations, and tourism services. The city is likewise looking to designate “medical-friendly” accommodations near major hospitals to support international patients who require longer stays during treatment.
Officials said the move is part of Seoul’s broader strategy to further strengthen its reputation as a global hub for medical tourism while improving the overall experience for international patients seeking specialized treatment in the city.
