Finding Korean Healthcare in the UAE: A Practical Guide to Hospitals, Clinics and Korean Doctors

Last updated: 6 August 2026

Finding the right doctor in a new country is not only about distance or appointment availability.

Patients may need to explain a long medical history, previous surgery, medications, allergies or symptoms that are difficult to describe in a second language. For Korean residents in the UAE, being able to communicate directly in Korean can make the consultation process feel clearer and less stressful.

At the same time, many UAE and GCC patients are interested in Korean medical expertise, particularly in areas such as orthopaedics, spine care, rehabilitation, dermatology, plastic surgery and minimally invasive treatment.

The UAE now offers several different forms of Korean-connected healthcare. These include a specialty hospital managed by a major Korean university hospital, a dedicated Korean medical pavilion, Korean-focused cosmetic and plastic surgery centres, and Korean physicians working within international hospitals and clinics in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.

This guide introduces selected options that were publicly listed on official hospital and clinic websites as of August 2026.

What Does “Korean Hospital” Mean in the UAE?

The phrase “Korean hospital” is often used broadly, but it can refer to several different types of healthcare services.

A Korean-managed hospital is a UAE-based hospital whose operations or clinical systems are managed in cooperation with a Korean medical institution.

A Korean Pavilion or Korean Medical Centre is a dedicated unit inside a UAE hospital, bringing together Korean doctors, treatment pathways and language support.

A Korean doctor in a UAE hospital or clinic is an individual physician who completed medical education or specialist training in Korea and is licensed to practise at a UAE healthcare facility.

These categories are different. A clinic employing one Korean doctor is not necessarily a Korean-managed hospital, and a visiting Korean doctor may only be available on selected dates.

Before making an appointment, patients should confirm whether the doctor is permanently based in the UAE, available only on a visiting schedule, or supported by a Korean-speaking coordinator.

Korean Healthcare in Ras Al Khaimah

Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital

Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, commonly known as SKSH, is one of the UAE’s most significant examples of cooperation with a Korean medical institution.

Located in Ras Al Khaimah, SKSH is a 246-bed tertiary specialty hospital. Its official website states that the hospital is currently managed by Seoul National University Hospital, one of Korea’s major university hospitals.

SKSH focuses primarily on three specialist areas:

• Oncology

• Cardiovascular medicine and surgery

• Neuroscience

The hospital operates a referral-based system and provides hospital-level services including specialised surgery, intensive care, radiation oncology and multidisciplinary treatment.

The hospital’s current medical directory lists multiple Korean physicians and Korean-trained specialists across neurosurgery, rehabilitation medicine, cardiovascular surgery, cardiology, radiation oncology and head and neck oncology.

Examples include Dr. Sung Ho Lee in neurosurgery, Dr. Hyung Seok Nam in physical medicine and rehabilitation, Dr. Ji Min Chang in cardiovascular surgery and Dr. Bo Kyong Kim in radiation oncology.

Because SKSH is a tertiary specialty hospital rather than a general neighbourhood clinic, patients should check whether a referral, prior medical report or insurance approval is required before booking.

SKSH May Be Relevant for Patients Seeking

• Complex neurological or neurosurgical assessment

• Cancer diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment

• Radiation oncology

• Cardiovascular medicine and surgery

• Specialist rehabilitation following surgery or neurological illness

Treatment suitability must be determined by the hospital after reviewing the patient’s medical condition and records.

Korean Paediatric Care at NMC Royal Medical Centre, RAK

Families living in Ras Al Khaimah may also find Korean-language paediatric care at NMC Royal Medical Centre.

Dr. Yoo Seon Kim is listed as a Specialist Paediatrician with more than 12 years of clinical experience. She completed her postgraduate paediatric training in Korea and previously worked at medical institutions including Samsung Medical Centre.

Her official profile states that she speaks Korean, English and basic Arabic. Her published areas of practice include childhood respiratory diseases, growth and developmental assessment, paediatric allergies, infectious diseases, vaccinations, nutritional concerns and gastrointestinal conditions.

Dr. Kim joined NMC Healthcare Group in 2026 and is currently listed at NMC Royal Medical Centre in Ras Al Khaimah.

This may be particularly convenient for Korean families seeking a paediatric consultation where both the child’s symptoms and the parents’ concerns can be discussed directly in Korean.

Korean Healthcare in Abu Dhabi

Burjeel Hospital Korean Pavilion

Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi officially launched its Korean Pavilion on 14 April 2026.

Unlike a clinic centred on one visiting specialist, the Korean Pavilion was developed as a dedicated multidisciplinary platform within Burjeel Hospital. It combines Korean-trained physicians, coordinated hospital services and Korean-language patient support.

The Pavilion currently offers services across:

• Orthopaedic surgery

• Neuro and spine surgery

• Physical medicine and rehabilitation

• Urology

• Ear, nose and throat care

• Internal medicine and gastroenterology

• Dentistry and implantology

Arabic, English and Korean language support is available for consultations and follow-up care.

The Korean medical team introduced at the Pavilion’s launch included:

Dr. Jisoon ParkOrthopaedic surgery, with a focus on the shoulder and upper limb

Dr. Seongeun ByunOrthopaedic surgery, including the hip and knee

Dr. Seung Heon YangSpine neurosurgery

Dr. Kyu Hwan JungOtolaryngology, including ear, nose, throat and head and neck care

Dr. Seung Bae LeeUrology

Dr. Ki Yun HuhPhysical medicine and rehabilitation

Dr. Gyung Joon ChaePeriodontics and implant dentistry

The current Korean Pavilion directory also lists Dr. Hye Rang Kim in gastroenterology and other Korean specialists.

Visiting Korean Specialists

The Pavilion separately lists visiting doctors from Korea in areas including orthopaedics, sports medicine, spinal conditions, colorectal surgery, ENT surgery and orthodontics.

Because these doctors travel from Korea, their availability may be limited to specific consultation and surgery dates. Patients should ask whether the requested doctor is a UAE-based physician or a visiting specialist before arranging travel, examinations or surgery.

The Pavilion may be a practical starting point for patients who prefer coordinated Korean medical care but require the infrastructure of a full hospital for imaging, surgery, inpatient treatment or rehabilitation.

Korean Spine Specialist at Healthpoint

Healthpoint Hospital Abu Dhabi currently lists Dr. Hoseok Choi, also known as Dr. Alex Choi, as a Korean board-certified neurosurgeon specialising in spinal surgery.

His official profile describes experience in the surgical management of complex disc disease, spinal stenosis and other degenerative or traumatic spinal conditions. His areas of practice include open, microscopic and endoscopic spine surgery, revision surgery, spinal fusion and selected endoscopic pain procedures.

Dr. Choi completed his medical education at Hanyang University and undertook neurosurgical and spine training in Korea, including a fellowship at Wooridul Spine Hospital. He has practised in the UAE since 2019.

Patients considering a spine consultation should bring previous MRI or CT images, radiology reports, details of prior injections or surgery, and a list of treatments already attempted.

Beauty for Life Korean Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Centre

For dermatology, cosmetic procedures and plastic or reconstructive surgery, Beauty for Life in Abu Dhabi presents itself as The Korean Center for Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery.

Its official medical team page lists Dr. Hyung Joo Noh, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, and Dr. Sung Tack Kwon, whose published area of practice includes congenital hand and foot surgery.

The centre also lists visiting Korean physicians with focused expertise in:

• Breast surgery

• Rhinoplasty

• Eyelid surgery

• Cleft lip, palate and craniofacial surgery

• Lymphoedema and lipoedema surgery

Because some physicians are visiting from Korea, patients should confirm consultation dates, where the procedure will be performed, who will manage postoperative care and whether the doctor will remain in the UAE during the early recovery period.

For any elective aesthetic or surgical procedure, the consultation should include a discussion of realistic results, anaesthesia, possible complications, recovery time, follow-up arrangements and the clinic’s policy for managing unexpected outcomes.

Korean Doctors in Dubai

Dubai does not currently have one dominant Korean-managed general hospital. Instead, Korean doctors are working within several international hospitals, medical centres and aesthetic clinics.

The most suitable provider should be chosen according to medical specialty rather than nationality alone.

Dr. Chanshik Shim — King’s College Hospital London Dubai

Dr. Chanshik Shim is listed as Head of the Wooridul Spine Center and Consultant Neurosurgeon at King’s College Hospital London Dubai.

His profile identifies minimally invasive spinal surgery and related techniques as his principal clinical interests. He speaks Korean and English and is based at the hospital’s Dubai Hills location.

Patients seeking a Korean-speaking consultation for spinal disc problems, stenosis or possible spine surgery may consider requesting an appointment with the Wooridul Spine Center. The final treatment plan should be based on clinical examination, imaging and whether non-surgical treatment has already been attempted.

Dr. Hong Suk Kwak — Medeor Hospital Dubai

Dr. Hong Suk Kwak is currently listed as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Medeor Hospital Dubai.

His official profile describes experience in hip disorders, arthroscopy, joint replacement and fracture management. It also notes his academic and clinical background at Seoul National University and Seoul National University Hospital.

His published areas of practice may be relevant to patients seeking Korean-language assessment for:

• Hip, knee or shoulder conditions

• Sports injuries

• Arthroscopic procedures

• Joint replacement

• Fractures and musculoskeletal trauma

As individual physicians may consult at more than one facility or participate in external specialist programmes, patients should confirm the exact hospital location when booking.

Dr. Yoonseok Oh — Me One Medical Center

For dermatology and aesthetic treatment, Dr. Yoonseok Oh is listed as a Specialist Dermatologist at Me One Medical Center in Dubai.

He has more than 15 years of experience in South Korea and the UAE and is a graduate of Yonsei University. His official profile lists both medical and aesthetic dermatology services, including:

• Medical skin diseases

• Acne and acne-scar treatment

• Pigmentation concerns

• Skin rejuvenation and resurfacing

• Laser procedures

• Injectables and skin boosters

• Thread lifting

This combination may be useful for patients who want a Korean-speaking dermatologist to assess whether a concern should be treated medically, cosmetically or through a combination of approaches.

For pigmentation, acne scars and other conditions that often require multiple sessions, patients should request a written treatment plan describing the proposed procedure, number of sessions, expected downtime and total estimated cost.

Dr. Tony Yang-Soo Park — Lucia Clinic

Lucia Clinic in Dubai currently lists Dr. Tony Yang-Soo Park as a Korean board-certified plastic surgeon.

His official profile states that he completed his medical education at Seoul National University Medical College and has more than 20 years of experience in facial cosmetic surgery.

The clinic lists his areas of practice as including rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, facelift procedures, facial fat grafting, breast surgery, liposuction and selected non-surgical facial treatments.

Patients interested in consulting Dr. Park should confirm his current Dubai availability and determine whether the requested consultation or procedure is part of a resident or visiting schedule.

Before any surgery, patients should also confirm:

• The hospital or surgical facility where the operation will take place

• The surgeon’s current UAE licence and facility privileges

• The anaesthetist and type of anaesthesia

• The expected recovery period

• Who will provide postoperative and emergency follow-up

• Whether additional costs may apply if revision treatment is required

How to Choose the Right Korean Doctor in the UAE

1. Start with the Medical Specialty

The first question should not simply be, “Is there a Korean doctor?”

It should be:

“Which medical specialty is appropriate for my symptoms?”

A Korean-speaking spine surgeon is not the appropriate starting point for an unrelated general medical issue, just as an aesthetic dermatologist may not be the correct provider for a complex autoimmune skin condition.

For new or unclear symptoms, a licensed family medicine, internal medicine or primary-care doctor may be the most appropriate first step.

2. Confirm the Language of the Consultation

A Korean nationality or Korean medical degree does not automatically guarantee that every stage of the appointment will be available in Korean.

Ask the facility:

• Will the doctor conduct the consultation directly in Korean?

• Is a Korean-speaking coordinator or interpreter available?

• Can consent forms and aftercare instructions be explained in Korean?

• Will the medical report be provided in English, Korean or both?

English reports may be particularly important when submitting insurance claims or receiving further treatment at another UAE hospital.

3. Check Whether the Doctor Is Resident or Visiting

This is especially important for surgery.

A visiting doctor may be available for consultation and surgery during a limited period, but postoperative wound checks, complication management and longer-term follow-up may be handled by another local physician.

Before confirming treatment, ask who will be responsible for your care after the visiting doctor leaves the UAE.

4. Check Insurance Before the Appointment

A doctor may be licensed and available but outside your insurance network.

Before booking, confirm:

• Whether the hospital and doctor are within your network

• Whether prior authorisation is required

• Whether imaging, laboratory tests, physiotherapy or surgery require separate approval

• Whether the consultation is direct billing or reimbursement only

• Whether elective aesthetic treatment is excluded from coverage

A verbal confirmation from a clinic does not always guarantee payment. Where possible, request written insurance confirmation.

5. Verify the Doctor’s UAE Licence

Patients can independently check medical professionals and healthcare facilities through the relevant official regulator.

For Dubai, the Dubai Medical Registry allows searches by professional name, speciality, language, facility and nationality.

For Abu Dhabi, the Department of Health provides official tools to find both medical professionals and licensed healthcare facilities.

For Ras Al Khaimah and other Northern Emirates under federal regulation, the Ministry of Health and Prevention provides a medical professionals directory.

A Korean medical licence or board certification is valuable background information, but the physician must also hold the appropriate current UAE licence and practise within the authorised facility and specialty.

6. Prepare Your Medical Records

To make the consultation more productive, bring:

• Current medications and dosages

• Known allergies

• Previous diagnosis and surgery records

• Laboratory results

• MRI, CT, X-ray or ultrasound images

• Pathology reports

• A short timeline of symptoms

• Details of treatments already attempted

Where possible, prepare an English summary. Korean records can still be useful when seeing a Korean doctor, but English documentation makes it easier to coordinate with radiology, laboratories, insurance companies and other UAE specialists.

What to Do in a Medical Emergency

Do not delay emergency treatment while trying to locate a Korean-speaking doctor.

For severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, signs of stroke, major bleeding, serious injury or another urgent medical condition, call 998 for an ambulance from anywhere in the UAE or visit the nearest emergency department.

Language support and transfer to a preferred specialist can be discussed after the patient has been medically stabilised.

Korean Medical Expertise Is Becoming More Accessible in the UAE

Korean-connected healthcare in the UAE is no longer limited to occasional visiting doctors.

Patients can now find a Seoul National University Hospital-managed specialty hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, a multidisciplinary Korean Pavilion in Abu Dhabi, Korean-focused cosmetic and plastic surgery services, and individual Korean physicians working in major hospitals and clinics across the country.

This provides more options for Korean residents who prefer to communicate in their first language and for UAE and GCC patients interested in Korean-trained medical specialists.

However, language and nationality should remain only part of the decision.

The most important considerations are the doctor’s relevant specialty, UAE licence, hospital facilities, treatment experience, insurance coverage and ability to provide safe, continuous follow-up care.