International patients may need medical records for follow-up care, insurance, or a second opinion after treatment in South Korea. This guide summarizes the general legal framework and explains which practical details must be confirmed with the specific hospital. It is not legal advice; the current law and the provider's instructions control.
Your right to request your own records
Article 21 of Korea's Medical Service Act says a patient may ask a healthcare professional or medical institution to inspect or receive copies of all or part of the records concerning that patient. The institution should not refuse without justifiable grounds. The law also restricts disclosure to other people, but it contains defined exceptions and procedures; it is inaccurate to say that every third-party request is categorically prohibited.
A patient requesting their own records should expect the provider to verify identity and specify which documents are requested. Records may include visit notes, test results, imaging, prescriptions, or discharge documents. Ask whether the hospital can provide a Korean copy, an English summary, or a translation. These are different services and should not be assumed to be included together.
When someone else requests records
A representative or eligible family member may need additional documents, such as patient consent, proof of identity, proof of relationship, or authorization. The precise documents depend on the requester's relationship to the patient and the circumstances. The Medical Service Act and its Enforcement Rule describe requirements and exceptions, including situations where patient consent cannot be obtained and other disclosures authorized by law.
Contact the hospital's medical-records office before visiting. Ask which forms it requires, whether originals are needed, and whether it accepts electronically signed documents. Article 21 allows records to be provided as an electronic document bearing an electronic signature in the circumstances it describes; a provider can explain the available delivery method for your request.
Fees and translations vary by provider
Do not assume there is one universal price for every hospital or record type. Charges can depend on the institution, the document, the format, the number of pages, and the patient's insurance status. Seoul National University Hospital, for example, publishes its own record-issuance instructions and rates; those are SNUH's facility-specific terms, not a nationwide price schedule. Ask the medical-records office for a current written estimate before ordering copies, imaging, or certificates.
Likewise, an English medical certificate or summary is not necessarily a complete translation of the clinical chart. Ask what the document contains, who prepares it, how long it takes, and whether an external translator is permitted if your home clinician or insurer needs a full translation.
A practical request checklist
Before you leave the hospital, ask for the records contact point, required identification, request forms, fees, available languages, and delivery options. State the records and date range you need. If another person will collect them, obtain the hospital's exact authorization requirements in advance. Keep the receipt and a secure copy of the records, and share sensitive health information only with the people who need it for your care.