A primary care doctor in Seoul who speaks your language

What a primary care doctor in Seoul does for you

Korea has excellent hospitals, but many expats find it hard to know where to start. Large university hospitals are built around specialist departments, and without a referral or Korean it can be slow to get simple problems sorted. A primary care doctor in Seoul fills that gap: one clinic you go to first for almost anything non-emergency, where the doctor looks at the whole picture and decides what you actually need.

At VEI Clinic, that doctor is Dr. HyunSung Park, a board-certified internal medicine specialist with a gastroenterology subspecialty. He is ECFMG certified, a graduate of the State University of New York, and a former clinical professor at Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital. Consultations are one-to-one and in English, so you can describe symptoms in your own words and ask follow-up questions without a translator.

Primary care here covers three broad areas: getting you better when you are unwell, keeping long-term conditions under control, and preventing problems before they start. The pages linked below go deeper into each service.

Everyday illness and same-day concerns

Most visits start with something that is bothering you now. Dr. Park assesses the problem, examines you, orders tests only when they will change the plan, and explains the diagnosis and treatment in plain English. Prescriptions are filled at a nearby pharmacy, and you leave knowing what to expect and when to come back.

• Colds, flu, sore throat, cough and fever
• Stomach upsets, reflux, abdominal pain and traveler's diarrhea
• Urinary tract infection symptoms
• Rashes, hives, shingles and seasonal allergies
• Headaches, fatigue and feeling generally unwell

Long-term conditions and prevention

Internal medicine is the specialty that deals with adult chronic disease, which makes it a natural base for ongoing care. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or prediabetes, a thyroid condition, reflux or other digestive issues, Dr. Park can review your current treatment, monitor it with blood tests and adjust medicines when needed. If you are moving to Seoul with an existing diagnosis, bring your records and medication boxes so he can continue your care, using medicines available in Korea where your usual brand is not.

Prevention is the other half. Checkups, physicals for work or school, blood tests, thyroid and abdominal ultrasound, and vaccinations such as the flu shot and hepatitis B are all available. The aim is a sensible plan for your age and risk, not a huge panel of tests you do not need.

Because we are an outpatient clinic, some things are done elsewhere. We do not perform endoscopy, surgery or emergency care. When you need those, or another specialist, we can refer you to a hospital and give you a clear English summary to take with you.

Who our primary care suits, and who should go elsewhere

Our primary care is designed for adults, including expats, international students, business travelers and long-stay visitors who want an English-speaking internal medicine doctor in Gangnam. It works well if you want continuity, meaning the same doctor who remembers your history at each visit.

We are not a pediatric clinic. If you need care for a young child, please contact us first so we can tell you whether we can help or where to go. We are also not an emergency department.

• Chest pain or pressure, severe shortness of breath or fainting: call 119
• Sudden weakness, facial droop or trouble speaking: call 119
• Heavy bleeding, black or bloody stool, or vomiting blood: go to an emergency room
• Severe allergic reaction with swelling of the lips or tongue: call 119

Practical details: hours, cost and insurance

VEI Clinic is on the 3rd floor of Beneheim City, the Jamba Juice building, at 162 Apgujeong-ro, about a one-minute walk from Apgujeong Station Exit 5. We are open Monday, Thursday and Friday 10:00 to 19:00, Tuesday 10:00 to 20:00 and Saturday 10:00 to 16:00, with lunch from 13:00 to 14:00 on weekdays. We are closed Wednesday and Sunday.

Many primary care services are covered by Korea's National Health Insurance if you are enrolled, so you pay the standard co-payment. Some tests and wellness services are not covered. Visitors without Korean insurance pay the clinic fee directly. Either way, we explain the cost before any extra test or treatment, and you can ask for an itemized English receipt and a medical note for your travel or expat insurer.