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Children's health in Seoul and Songdo

Korean medicine is of a very high standard, but it is mostly practised in hospitals and is expensive without insurance. Here is how the system works, where to go in an emergency in Seoul and in Songdo, and how to find a French-speaking doctor.

Verified on 6 November 2026

How the Korean system works

Home visits barely exist in Korea: you go to a neighbourhood clinic for minor problems and to hospital for the rest. Many large hospitals have an international medical centre with English-speaking staff.

Good to know

  • After six months of residence, enrolment in National Health Insurance (NHIS) is automatic, with the same benefits as for Korean citizens, unless you apply for an exemption (posted worker, CFE, private insurance). Source
  • For insurance to cover a visit to a large university hospital, you need a referral letter from a first doctor; it is not required for emergencies, childbirth and dental care. Source
  • Paediatrics is one of the neighbourhood clinic specialties: that is where you take children and teenagers under 18. Source
  • The embassy strongly recommends supplementary insurance on top of Korean health insurance, especially for hospital stays. Source

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Emergencies and children's hospitals in Seoul

For a life-threatening emergency, call 119 (fire and rescue). Seoul's big university hospitals have a children's hospital and an international medical centre.

Good to know

  • Emergency numbers published by the embassy: 119 for fire and rescue, 112 for police. Give the location, what happened and the number you are calling from. Source
  • The official Emergency Ready App, on iOS and Android, lets you look up in English the addresses of facilities with an emergency department. Source
  • Seoul city runs an English-language medical referral service (Medical Referral Service), whose contact details are on the embassy's emergency page. Source

Addresses

  • Seoul National University Hospital (hôpital pour enfants)

    Hospital

    101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Séoul

    University hospital with a children's hospital and an emergency medical centre; on the embassy list.

    Website Source

  • Yonsei Severance Hospital (Severance Children's Hospital)

    Hospital

    50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Séoul

    University hospital with a children's hospital; on the embassy list.

    Website Source

  • Asan Medical Center

    Hospital

    88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Séoul

    University hospital with a children's hospital; on the embassy list.

    Website Source

  • Samsung Medical Center

    Hospital

    81 Ilwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Séoul

    University hospital with an international centre; on the embassy list.

    Website Source

  • Seoul St. Mary's Hospital

    Hospital

    222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Séoul

    Near the Express Bus Terminal, in the same district as Seorae Maeul; general practice consultations in French by appointment.

    Website Source

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Hospitals and emergencies near Songdo and Incheon

From Songdo, there is no need to cross to Seoul for an emergency: Incheon has several general hospitals with foreign-language services. 119 works the same way.

Good to know

  • The IFEZ Global Center, the zone's welcome centre for foreigners, points to Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Inha University Hospital and Nasaret International Hospital. Source
  • Incheon city publishes the list of its general hospitals: Gil Medical Center (services in English, Chinese, Russian and Mongolian), Inha University Hospital and the two Catholic St. Mary's hospitals offer English-language services. Source
  • Inha University Hospital also runs the Incheon Airport Medical Center, open 24/7 in both terminals. Source

Addresses

  • Gachon University Gil Medical Center

    Hospital

    21 Namdong-daero 774beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon

    Large university hospital, reachable on Incheon Subway Line 1; service for foreign patients.

    Languages spoken : EN

    Website Source

  • Nasaret International Hospital

    Hospital

    98 Meonugeum-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon

    General hospital in Yeonsu-gu, Songdo's district; registered to treat foreign patients.

    Website Source

  • Inha University Hospital

    Hospital

    27 Inhang-ro, Jemulpo-gu, Incheon

    University hospital with an international centre; on the French embassy list.

    Languages spoken : EN

    Website Source

  • Incheon St. Mary's Hospital

    Hospital

    56 Dongsu-ro, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon

    Languages spoken : EN

    Website Source

  • International St. Mary's Hospital

    Hospital

    25 Simgok-ro 100beon-gil, Seohae-gu, Incheon

    Languages spoken : EN

    Website Source

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French-speaking doctors and therapists

The French embassy publishes a list of French-speaking practitioners, provided for information. We list names, specialties and places of practice; how to book is on the embassy page.

Good to know

  • There is no paediatrician on the embassy list: for children, French-speaking general practice or the hospitals' international centres, in English, are the entry points. Source
  • The list also mentions French-language remote consultation services, such as Médecin Direct or Eutelmed. Source

Addresses

  • Dr Jin-Ju Ok

    General practitioner

    Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seocho-gu, et Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, Eunpyeong-gu

    General practice in French, at both hospitals' international medical centres, by appointment.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Website Source

  • Dr Sooyeon Min

    Psychologist

    Jongno-gu, Séoul

    Psychiatrist, Jongno-gu Mental Health Welfare Center and Seoul National University Hospital, by appointment.

    Languages spoken : FR

    Website Source

  • M. Yoohyun Oh

    Psychologist

    Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Séoul

    French-speaking psychologist, consultations in French and Korean.

    Languages spoken : FR, KO

    Source

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Vaccines and pregnancy care

Vaccines in Korea's national programme are free for children, and public health centres support pregnant women who register with them.

Good to know

  • Vaccines in the National Immunization Program are free from birth to 12, at public health centres and approved clinics. Bring the French health record to check the schedule. Source
  • A pregnant woman who registers at her local health centre receives advice, follow-up and, depending on the stage of pregnancy, free folic acid and iron; programmes vary from one centre to another. Source
  • Medicines brought from France: a quantity for personal use, up to three months of treatment, with the original prescription in English or translated into Korean. Narcotics and psychotropics require prior authorisation. Source
  • In Korea, doctors prescribe and pharmacists dispense: prescription drugs need a prescription, while common remedies (digestion, pain) can be bought at a pharmacy or convenience store. Source

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These landmarks do not replace the advice of a health professional. In an emergency, call the local emergency number shown above.

A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Seoul will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Ambassade de France, hôpitaux et praticiens francophones
  2. 2 Ambassade de France, liste des hôpitaux 2026 (PDF)
  3. 3 Ambassade de France, en cas d'urgence
  4. 4 Ambassade de France, sécurité sociale
  5. 5 Ville d'Incheon, santé et hôpitaux
  6. 6 IFEZ Global Center

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