Which hospital should I go to (clinic → hospital → ER)
Korean medical institutions differ in size and role. Knowing the order reduces cost and waiting.
Three levels
- Clinic (의원) — a small local practice. Colds, stomach upsets, skin, minor pain. The sign reads "○○의원", "○○내과", "○○정형외과". Start here.
- Hospital / general hospital — more equipment, and inpatient care. If the clinic says "go to a bigger hospital", get a referral letter first.
- Emergency room — when life is at risk now. Expensive, and the wait can be long. Going with a minor symptom means waiting a long time.
Steps
- Decide where to go based on your symptoms.
- Find a nearby clinic. Search www.hira.or.kr or a map app for "내과" (internal medicine), "이비인후과" (ENT).
- Bring your ID (ARC) and health insurance details.
- Register and see the doctor.
- Take any prescription to a nearby pharmacy.
Choosing a department
- 내과 internal medicine — colds, stomach, fever, blood pressure, diabetes
- 이비인후과 ENT — nose, throat, ears
- 정형외과 orthopaedics — bones, joints, back
- 피부과 dermatology — skin, rashes
- 치과 dentistry — teeth
- 산부인과 obstetrics and gynaecology — pregnancy, women's health
- 소아청소년과 paediatrics — children
- 정신건강의학과 psychiatry — insomnia, depression, anxiety
Where to go
- Find a hospital: www.hira.or.kr
- Find an emergency room: www.e-gen.or.kr
- 1339 KDCA · 119 emergencies
- 1577-1000 National Health Insurance Service
- 1345 · 1577-1366 interpreted advice
Questions people ask
I don't know what is wrong. Go to a nearby internal medicine clinic. They will point you to another department if needed.
I'm ill at night. Some hospitals and pharmacies open at night — find them on e-gen.or.kr. If it is urgent, call 119.
I don't speak Korean. Some large hospitals have international clinics. Call ahead and ask. Use 1345 or 1577-1366 for interpretation.
Take care
Emergency rooms are expensive. If it is not an emergency, going to a clinic the next day is better. But chest pain, breathing difficulty, reduced consciousness or heavy bleeding mean 119 without delay.
Related
how-to-see-doctor · hospital-registration · emergency-room-use · emergency-symptoms
Source
Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service www.hira.or.kr / National Emergency Medical Center www.e-gen.or.kr / As of 2026-08