To check if a Korean clinic is licensed, search its name on the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) hospital search or similar government lookups, confirm it is registered as a medical institution (uiwon, 의원), and check that treatments are performed by licensed doctors. Ask for the clinic's business details and the doctor's name if unsure.
Re:berry Clinic Hongdae · Information reviewed for accuracy · Results vary by individual.
Where can I check a clinic's registration?
Korea has public databases of medical institutions. The most commonly used is the hospital search on the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) website and app, where you can search by name or area to see whether a clinic is registered, its type and listed departments. Korean map apps such as Naver Map and Kakao Map also show many registered clinics, though a map listing alone is not proof of licensing.
Clinics that actively attract foreign patients may also be registered with the government for international patient services. You can ask the clinic whether it holds this registration.
What should I look for?
- Name and type: Medical clinics are usually named with 의원 (uiwon) or 병원 (byeongwon). Re:berry's Korean name is 리베리의원.
- Licensed doctors: Injections, lasers and lifting devices are medical procedures in Korea and should be performed or supervised by licensed doctors.
- Clear consultation: A doctor should assess you, explain risks and confirm the plan before treatment.
- Written pricing and receipts: Legitimate clinics issue receipts and itemized records.
- Genuine products: You can ask to see the product box or device. See Do Korean clinics use genuine products?
Questions you can ask before booking
- Who will perform my treatment, and are they a licensed doctor?
- Which device or product brand will be used, and can I see it?
- What are the risks, and what happens if I have a complication after I fly home?
- Will I receive an itemized receipt and written record of my treatment?
Red flags to watch for
- Injections or lasers offered at beauty salons, hotels or private homes
- No doctor consultation, or a doctor who never appears
- Pressure to pay immediately or prices that seem unrealistically low
- Refusal to give receipts or written treatment details
Our guide to choosing a safe clinic in Korea covers this in more depth, and Is a dermatologist the same as a skin clinic in Korea? explains clinic types.
At a glance
- Official lookup: HIRA hospital and clinic search
- Clinic type: Registered as a medical institution, such as 의원 (uiwon)
- Who treats: Licensed doctors perform medical procedures
- Foreign patients: Some clinics register for international patient attraction
- Red flag: Treatments offered in salons or private homes
Related questions
Is a skin clinic in Korea the same as a dermatology clinic?
Not always. Many aesthetic skin clinics are run by licensed doctors who may or may not be board-certified dermatologists. Both can be legitimate medical institutions. If specialty training matters to you, ask about the doctor's background directly. The key point is that procedures are performed by licensed medical professionals.
Can I ask the clinic for proof of registration?
Yes. A registered clinic should be able to give you its official name, address and business details, and these can be checked against public databases. Asking is reasonable and should not cause offense at a legitimate clinic, and a clear answer is itself a good sign of transparency.
What should I do if something goes wrong?
Contact the treating clinic first and keep your receipts and records. If you are unhappy with the response, Korea has public bodies that handle medical disputes and patient complaints. If you have urgent symptoms, seek immediate medical care. Travel insurance may also have relevant guidance.
Keep reading
Before you book
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Suitability, dose, number of sessions and expected results are decided by a doctor at consultation, and results vary by individual. Possible side effects include redness, swelling and bruising. Pricing is confirmed in writing before any treatment. See our medical disclaimer.
Still have a question?
A doctor at Re:berry Clinic Hongdae can answer it for your skin specifically. Multilingual consultation support is available.