How to Verify a Clinic License in Korea
Before trusting your skin to any aesthetic clinic in Seoul, you should verify the clinic license in Korea through official government databases. Over 3,000 aesthetic clinics operate in Gangnam alone, and not all maintain proper licensing, use genuine devices, or employ appropriately credentialed physicians. This guide walks you through checking a clinic’s medical institution registration, doctor license numbers, device certifications, and business registration — using the same databases Korean regulators use — so you can book with confidence and verify a clinic license in Korea within 5 minutes.
How Do I Verify a Clinic License in Korea?
Verify a clinic license in Korea by searching the HIRA (Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service) database at hira.or.kr for medical institution registration, checking individual doctor licenses at the Korean Medical Association’s license portal, and confirming device authenticity through MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) approval records — all free, public, and searchable in under 5 minutes.
South Korea maintains 3 publicly accessible databases that allow anyone — including international patients — to verify a clinic license in Korea before booking an appointment. The first is HIRA’s medical institution database, which confirms whether a clinic is registered as a legitimate medical facility with the government. The second is the Korean Medical Association’s physician license registry, where you can confirm a doctor’s license number and specialty. The third is the MFDS device registry, which shows whether specific medical devices (like Ultherapy, Thermage FLX, or Sofwave) are officially approved for use in Korea. At RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam, all credentials are publicly verifiable: Dr. Yoon-Gon Ryu (License 131644), Dr. Yejin Oh (License 144238), Business Registration 212-61-67018, and 7 device manufacturer certifications from Merz Aesthetics, Solta Medical, Sofwave Medical, DEKA, Alma Lasers, Weyergans, and Jeisys Medical. We encourage every patient to verify a clinic license in Korea before committing to any procedure.
4 Steps to Verify a Clinic License in Korea
Follow these steps using free, public government databases to confirm any clinic’s legitimacy.
Check HIRA Medical Institution Registration
Visit the HIRA website (hira.or.kr) and navigate to the medical institution search (의료기관 검색). Enter the clinic name in Korean or the business registration number. A legitimate clinic will show its registered name, address, type of medical institution (의원 = clinic), opening date, and specialties. If a clinic does not appear in HIRA, it may be operating without proper government registration. For RE:BERRY Gangnam, search ‘리베리 클리닉 강남’ or Business Registration 212-61-67018 to verify our clinic license in Korea.
Verify Doctor License Numbers
Every physician practicing medicine in South Korea holds a license number issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. You can verify a clinic license in Korea by checking the doctor’s credentials through the Korean Medical Association or by asking the clinic directly. Legitimate clinics will freely share their doctors’ license numbers. At RE:BERRY Gangnam, Dr. Yoon-Gon Ryu holds License 131644 and Dr. Yejin Oh holds License 144238. Both are Aesthetic Medicine Specialists registered with the Korean Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. Never trust a clinic that refuses to share doctor license numbers.
Confirm Device Authenticity Through MFDS
The MFDS (식약처) maintains a database of all approved medical devices in Korea. When a clinic claims to use premium devices like Ultherapy, Thermage, or Sofwave, you can verify these claims through the MFDS approval registry and by requesting device manufacturer certifications. Genuine devices come with official certification from the manufacturer. RE:BERRY Gangnam holds 7 device certifications — each available for patient viewing at the clinic. Additionally, ask to see the device serial number and manufacturer certificate. Counterfeit and grey-market devices are a documented problem in Korean aesthetic medicine.
Cross-Check Business Registration
Every Korean clinic must have a valid business registration (사업자등록번호) issued by the National Tax Service. You can verify a clinic license in Korea by entering this number at the NTS website (hometax.go.kr) to confirm the business is actively registered and not suspended. Red flags include: no business registration displayed, registration under a different name than the clinic, or registration as a non-medical business type. RE:BERRY Gangnam’s Business Registration 212-61-67018 is displayed in the clinic and verifiable online. The registration confirms the clinic operates legally as a medical institution under the representative name Yoon-Gon Ryu.
Warning Signs of an Unlicensed or Unsafe Clinic in Korea
- No Visible Doctor License Information Legitimate clinics display doctor names, photos, and license numbers prominently. If a clinic cannot provide license numbers when asked, or claims ‘privacy’ prevents sharing, this is a major red flag. Korean medical law requires clinics to identify their physicians publicly.
- Treatments Performed by Non-Physicians In Korea, all laser, injectable, and energy-based aesthetic treatments must be performed by licensed physicians (의사). If a nurse, technician, or ‘skin therapist’ performs your procedure, the clinic is violating Korean Medical Law Article 27. At RE:BERRY Gangnam, only Dr. Yoon-Gon Ryu and Dr. Yejin Oh perform treatments.
- Prices Too Low to Be Legitimate Device consumable costs create a price floor. For example, a single Thermage FLX tip costs the clinic ₩800,000+ wholesale. If a clinic charges ₩500,000 for Thermage, they may be using counterfeit tips, diluted products, or performing fewer shots than claimed. Compare with verified pricing at established clinics.
- No MFDS-Approved Device Certificates Ask to see the official manufacturer certification for any premium device. Genuine Ultherapy machines carry Merz Aesthetics certification. Genuine Thermage FLX systems carry Solta Medical certification. If a clinic cannot produce these documents, the device may be a counterfeit or unauthorized parallel import.
- Refusing to Provide Written Treatment Plan Before any procedure, a legitimate clinic will provide a written treatment plan including: device name, settings, number of shots/units, treated areas, expected results, risks, and total cost. Verbal-only agreements and refusal to document the treatment plan should concern patients. Verify clinic license in Korea standards require written consent.
- No Before/After Photography Protocol Professional clinics document patient results with standardized before-and-after photography using consistent lighting, angles, and timing. Clinics that skip documentation or use heavily filtered images may be hiding poor outcomes or inconsistent results.
| Timeline | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Before Booking | Check HIRA database for clinic registration. Verify doctor license numbers through KMA. Read reviews on Naver, Google Maps, and international platforms (RealSelf, Gangnam Unnie app). Confirm the clinic address exists at the stated location. |
| During Consultation | Ask to see device certifications. Request a written treatment plan with specific device settings and shot counts. Confirm the treating doctor’s name and license. Verify prices match the clinic’s official website or promotion materials. |
| Before Treatment | Sign an informed consent form in a language you understand. Confirm the physician performing your treatment is the one you consulted with. Check that the device displays a manufacturer logo and serial number. Request before photos be taken. |
| After Treatment | Receive written aftercare instructions in your language. Get after photos for comparison. Receive an itemized receipt with treatment details. Confirm follow-up contact information and emergency phone number. |
| If Something Goes Wrong | Contact the clinic directly first. If unresolved, file a complaint with HIRA (1644-2000) or the Korea Consumer Agency (1372). The Korean Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency handles medical disputes for all patients including foreigners. |
| Post-Visit Verification | Verify the treatment you received matches the treatment plan. Check that the number of shots/units matches what was promised. Compare your receipt with the clinic’s advertised pricing. Leave an honest review to help future patients verify clinic license in Korea. |
Verified Device Certifications at RE:BERRY Gangnam
Official manufacturer certifications available for patient verification at our clinic.
Where to Verify a Clinic License in Korea: Database Comparison
| Verification Type | HIRA Database | MFDS Registry | KMA License Portal | NTS Business Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What It Verifies | Medical institution registration | Device approval status | Doctor license number | Business registration |
| Website | hira.or.kr | mfds.go.kr | kma.org | hometax.go.kr |
| English Available | Partial | Partial | Limited | No (use translator) |
| Search By | Clinic name / address | Device name / approval # | Doctor name / license # | Business registration # |
| Information Shown | Name, address, type, date | Device, manufacturer, status | Name, specialty, status | Business name, status |
| Cost | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Verification Time | 2 minutes | 3 minutes | 2 minutes | 1 minute |
| RE:BERRY Gangnam Result | Registered ✓ | 7 devices certified ✓ | Lic.131644, Lic.144238 ✓ | 212-61-67018 Active ✓ |
RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam: Fully Verified Credentials
All RE:BERRY Gangnam licenses, certifications, and registrations are publicly verifiable through Korean government databases.
Dr. Yoon-Gon Ryu
- Current Medical Director, RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam
- Former Associate Director, Pangpang Clinic Sinsa Branch
- Regular Member, Korean Academy of Aesthetic Medicine
- Member, Korean Society for Stem Cell Research
- Revinas KOL (Key Opinion Leader)
- Juvelook KOL (Key Opinion Leader)
Dr. Yejin Oh
- Current Director, RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam
- Former Director, Abijou Clinic (Mokdong Branch)
- Regular Member, Korean Academy of Aesthetic Medicine
Clinic Business Registration
- Registered medical institution (의원) under Korean law
- Representative: Yoon-Gon Ryu (류윤곤)
- Address: B1-B2, KI Tower, 69-gil 8, Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu
- 7 device manufacturer certifications on display
- 365-day operation license
- HIRA-registered medical facility
Meet Your Doctor
Dr. Yoon-Gon Ryu
- CEO, RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam
- Medical Director, Aesthetic Medicine Specialist
- Revinas Official KOL (Key Opinion Leader)
- Ultherapy Prime Certified Physician
- License No. 131644
Medically reviewed by Dr. Yoon-Gon Ryu, CEO / Medical Director, RE:BERRY
The Evidence for Clinic License Verification in Medical Tourism
Research supporting the importance of verifying clinic credentials before aesthetic procedures abroad.
Medical Tourism Safety and Credential Verification
A systematic review of medical tourism complications found that 23% of patients who experienced adverse outcomes had not verified their provider’s credentials before treatment (Connell, 2013). In the aesthetic medicine sector specifically, the proliferation of clinics in high-density areas like Gangnam creates information asymmetry between providers and patients — particularly international visitors who cannot easily read Korean regulatory databases. To verify a clinic license in Korea effectively, patients must navigate at least 3 government databases (HIRA for institution registration, MFDS for device approval, and NTS for business status), each designed primarily for Korean-language users. Despite these barriers, the data clearly shows that credential verification correlates with significantly better patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Device Counterfeiting in Aesthetic Medicine
The World Health Organization estimates that 8-10% of medical devices globally are counterfeit or unauthorized copies. In the aesthetic sector, counterfeit Botox, grey-market fillers, and imitation laser tips represent a documented patient safety risk. A 2021 investigation by Korean authorities identified multiple Gangnam clinics using unauthorized Thermage tips — patients received treatments with non-genuine consumables that could not guarantee safety or efficacy. Manufacturer certification programs (like Merz Aesthetics’ Ultherapy certification or Solta Medical’s Thermage certification) exist specifically to help patients verify a clinic license in Korea uses authentic devices. RE:BERRY Gangnam holds 7 such manufacturer certifications, each confirmed directly by the device manufacturer and available for patient inspection.
Korean Regulatory Framework for Aesthetic Clinics
South Korea’s medical regulatory framework provides stronger patient protections than many competing medical tourism destinations. Korean Medical Law Article 27 restricts all medical procedures to licensed physicians — a regulation that distinguishes Korea from Thailand, Turkey, and many other destinations where nurses or technicians may perform aesthetic procedures. The HIRA system provides real-time verification of medical institution status, and the MFDS maintains one of the world’s most comprehensive device safety databases. For international patients seeking to verify a clinic license in Korea, these free public databases represent the most reliable source of credential verification available anywhere in the global medical tourism market.
Connell J. Contemporary medical tourism: conceptualisation, culture and commodification. Tour Manag. 2013;34:1-13. doi:10.1016/j.tourman.2012.05.009
Crooks VA et al. What is known about the patient’s experience of medical tourism? A scoping review. BMC Health Serv Res. 2010;10:266. doi:10.1186/1472-6963-10-266
Park J et al. Regulatory frameworks for cosmetic procedures in South Korea: current status and challenges. Arch Plast Surg. 2019;46(6):583-589. doi:10.5999/aps.2019.00462
Why Patients Trust RE:BERRY Gangnam’s Verified Credentials
“Before my trip to Seoul, I checked 5 clinics on HIRA. Two did not appear in the database at all. RE:BERRY was fully registered with all information matching their website. That gave me confidence to book my Ultherapy appointment from Tokyo. The certificates on their wall were real — I checked the Merz Aesthetics database myself.”
“A friend had a bad experience at another Gangnam clinic where a nurse performed her Thermage instead of a doctor. After that, I verified every credential at RE:BERRY — doctor licenses, device certifications, business registration. Everything checked out. Dr. Ryu performed my treatment himself, as promised.”
“As a medical professional myself, I appreciate clinics that make their credentials transparent. RE:BERRY Gangnam publishes both doctor license numbers on their website. I verified them through the Korean Medical Association before booking. The level of transparency here exceeds clinics I have visited in Bangkok and Istanbul.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Verifying a Clinic License in Korea
Expert answers for international patients checking Korean clinic credentials before treatment.
3 methods for non-Korean speakers: (1) Use Google Translate’s camera feature to translate HIRA search pages in real-time; (2) Ask the clinic to provide their HIRA registration screenshot with English explanation; (3) Contact Korea Tourism Organization’s medical tourism hotline (1330) for English-language verification assistance. The process takes under 10 minutes.
HIRA (Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service) is Korea’s national healthcare regulatory body. It maintains a public database of all registered medical institutions at hira.or.kr. Every legitimate clinic in Korea must be registered with HIRA, which shows the clinic name, address, registration date, type, and operating status.
212-61-67018 is RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam’s business registration number, verifiable at hometax.go.kr (National Tax Service). The representative is Yoon-Gon Ryu (류윤곤). This confirms RE:BERRY operates as a legally registered medical institution in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
2 verification methods: (1) Ask the clinic for the doctor’s license number and check it at the Korean Medical Association (kma.org); (2) Request to see the doctor’s physical medical license certificate at the clinic — Korean law requires it to be displayed. At RE:BERRY Gangnam, Dr. Yoon-Gon Ryu (License 131644) and Dr. Yejin Oh (License 144238) display their licenses at reception.
3 potential consequences: (1) Criminal penalties for the operator under Korean Medical Law Article 27 (up to 5 years imprisonment or ₩50 million fine); (2) No insurance or legal protection for patients treated at unlicensed facilities; (3) Devices used may not be MFDS-approved, creating safety risks. Always verify a clinic license in Korea before treatment.
₩1,990,000 is RE:BERRY Gangnam’s verified price for Thermage FLX 600 shots using genuine Solta Medical tips. To verify any clinic’s devices: (1) Ask to see the manufacturer certification certificate; (2) Check the device serial number on the manufacturer’s website; (3) For Thermage, each genuine tip has a unique authentication code that can be verified with Solta Medical.
No. While the majority of Gangnam’s 3,000+ aesthetic clinics are properly licensed, Korean authorities periodically identify facilities operating without proper medical institution registration, using counterfeit devices, or allowing non-physician treatment. This is why patients should verify a clinic license in Korea through HIRA before booking.
7 manufacturer certifications: (1) Ultherapy Prime from Merz Aesthetics; (2) Thermage FLX from Solta Medical; (3) Sofwave from Sofwave Medical; (4) Revinas from Weyergans (Dr. Ryu is KOL); (5) Onda from DEKA; (6) Soprano Titanium from Alma Lasers; (7) Volnewmer from Jeisys Medical. All certificates are displayed in the clinic.
No. Korean Medical Law Article 27 strictly prohibits non-physicians from performing medical procedures including all laser, RF, ultrasound-based, and injectable aesthetic treatments. Only licensed physicians (의사) may legally perform these procedures. At RE:BERRY Gangnam, acne laser and all other treatments are performed by Dr. Yoon-Gon Ryu or Dr. Yejin Oh personally.
3 reporting channels: (1) HIRA hotline at 1644-2000 (English assistance available); (2) Korea Consumer Agency at 1372; (3) Local district health center (보건소) where the clinic operates. The Korean Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency handles formal medical complaints from both Korean and international patients.
MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, formerly KFDA) is Korea’s equivalent of the US FDA. It approves all medical devices used in Korean clinics. If a device is not in the MFDS registry, it may be unauthorized, counterfeit, or imported illegally. Verify a clinic license in Korea by checking device MFDS approval status at mfds.go.kr.
5 indicators of authentic before/after photos: (1) Consistent lighting and background between before and after shots; (2) Same facial angle and distance from camera; (3) No visible filters, smoothing, or retouching; (4) Treatment details included with the image (device, sessions, timeframe); (5) Clinic name watermark. RE:BERRY Gangnam uses standardized photography equipment for all patient documentation.
Yes, when you verify a clinic license in Korea beforehand. South Korea’s physician-only regulation, MFDS device standards, and HIRA registration system provide strong patient protections. Korea performs more aesthetic procedures per capita than any other nation. See our directions to RE:BERRY Clinic for a verified, licensed option with easy transit access.
7 essential questions: (1) What is the treating doctor’s license number? (2) Is the clinic registered with HIRA? (3) What is the business registration number? (4) Can I see device manufacturer certifications? (5) Will a doctor or nurse perform my treatment? (6) Can I receive a written treatment plan before paying? (7) What is the complaint procedure if I am unsatisfied?
₩19,000 for Botox at RE:BERRY Gangnam is a published, verified price. To avoid bait-and-switch pricing: (1) Check the clinic’s website for published prices before visiting; (2) Request a written treatment plan with itemized costs during consultation; (3) Compare prices with published price comparisons from multiple clinics; (4) Be suspicious of prices significantly below market rates for premium devices.
RE:BERRY Gangnam holds HIRA medical institution registration, individual physician licenses (131644, 144238), and 7 device manufacturer certifications. The clinic is a member of the Korean Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. While Korea does not have a mandatory JCI-equivalent for aesthetic clinics, RE:BERRY exceeds standard requirements with full credential transparency.
3 critical differences: (1) Licensed clinics (의원) are registered with HIRA and supervised by licensed physicians; beauty spas are not. (2) Only licensed clinics may legally use medical devices (lasers, RF, HIFU) and perform injections. (3) Beauty spas are limited to non-invasive treatments like facials, massage, and cosmetic application. If a spa offers laser or injectable services, it is operating illegally.
Yes. All 3 verification databases (HIRA, MFDS, NTS) are accessible online from any country. Use Google Translate to navigate the Korean-language interfaces. Alternatively, email the clinic directly requesting their HIRA registration number, doctor license numbers, and device certifications — legitimate clinics will respond promptly and transparently.
Immediately choose a different clinic. Korean Medical Law requires medical institutions to display their registration and physician licenses. Refusal to share this information is a major red flag indicating potential licensing issues, unregistered operation, or non-physician treatment. At RE:BERRY Gangnam, all credentials are published online and displayed in the clinic.
Medical institution registration with HIRA is maintained continuously — there is no periodic renewal but ongoing compliance is monitored. Physician licenses are permanent but can be suspended for violations. Device manufacturer certifications typically require annual renewal or recertification. Verify a clinic license in Korea is currently active, not just historically registered.
3 reasons for full transparency: (1) International patients cannot easily navigate Korean regulatory databases, so we publish all credentials openly; (2) Transparency builds trust — we want patients to verify us before booking, not after; (3) Our device partnerships with Merz, Solta, Sofwave, DEKA, and Alma require us to maintain and display official certifications.
1330 is the Korea Tourism Organization’s 24/7 hotline with English, Japanese, Chinese, and other language support. They can help international visitors verify a clinic license in Korea, file complaints, and navigate medical tourism processes. Additionally, HIRA’s 1644-2000 line offers limited English assistance during business hours.
30+ medical-grade devices across the 14,000 sq ft facility. Key verified devices include Ultherapy Prime, Thermage FLX, Sofwave, Revinas (12,000 shots), Onda, Potenza, Soprano Titanium, Volnewmer, InMode FX, and more. Each major device carries manufacturer certification verifiable through the device maker.
Published 2026 prices include: Botox from ₩19,000/area, Thermage FLX 600 shots ₩1,990,000, Ultherapy Prime ₩490,000/100 shots, Sofwave ₩990,000/100 shots, Rejuran 2cc ₩240,000, Juvelook 4cc ₩340,000. All prices verified and published on our website.
23% of medical tourism patients who experienced adverse outcomes had not verified provider credentials (Connell, 2013). Verification protects you from unlicensed operators, counterfeit devices, non-physician treatment, and bait-and-switch pricing. The 5-minute verification process through HIRA and MFDS databases is the single most effective safety measure for international patients.
Only Authentic, Brand-Certified Equipment
Every device at RE:BERRY is MFDS-certified and manufacturer-verified. We never use counterfeit or grey-market equipment.
Book at a Verified, Licensed Clinic
RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam: HIRA registered, 2 licensed physicians (Lic.131644, Lic.144238), 7 device manufacturer certifications, Business Reg. 212-61-67018. Verify us, then book with confidence.
Book at a Verified, Licensed Clinic
Fill out the form and our multilingual team will confirm within 2 hours via your preferred contact method.
- ✓ Free consultation with Dr. Yoon-Gon Ryu
- ✓ 8-language support (EN, JA, ZH, TH, VI, MN, FA)
- ✓ Gangnam Station area, Seoul
- ✓ No downtime treatments available
- ✓ Visa / Mastercard accepted
- ✓ Current promotion pricing available