5 min read
How to verify a Korean clinic is legit (HIRA)
A 3-minute check to confirm a Seoul cosmetic clinic is a real, government-registered medical institution before you book.
What HIRA is
HIRA (Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service) is Korea's government body that registers every licensed medical institution. If a clinic is in HIRA's registry, it is a real, licensed facility — not an unlicensed shop, esthetic room, or rebranded storefront.
Why it matters for foreigners
Search results mix real clinics with cosmetics stores, esthetic salons, and 'permanent makeup' shops that are not medical clinics. A HIRA check filters those out and confirms there are registered doctors at the address.
How SeoulVera does it for you
We cross-check every clinic against the HIRA registry and the Google medical category, then show a 'Gov-registered (HIRA)' badge with the number of specialists. Non-medical businesses are removed from our rankings entirely.
Frequently asked
- How do I know if a Korean plastic surgery clinic is licensed?
- Confirm it appears in HIRA's medical-institution registry and that a board-certified specialist performs the procedure. On SeoulVera, look for the 'Gov-registered (HIRA)' badge.
- Are esthetic salons the same as clinics in Korea?
- No. Skin-care rooms, waxing, and permanent-makeup shops are not licensed medical clinics and cannot perform surgery or medical procedures. Always verify medical licensing (HIRA) first.