How to Verify a Clinic License in Korea
Before visiting any skin clinic in Seoul, verifying the clinic license and doctor credentials is the single most important safety step for international patients. This guide shows you exactly how to verify a clinic license in Korea using 3 official government databases, what red flags to watch for, and why RE:BERRY Myeongdong publicly discloses all license numbers (143338 and 125783) for transparent verification.
How Do You Verify a Clinic License in Korea?
To verify a clinic license in Korea, search the doctor’s name or license number on HIRA (hira.or.kr), the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database, which lists all 130,000+ licensed medical practitioners in Korea; RE:BERRY Myeongdong’s doctors are verifiable under License 143338 (Dr. Baek Seung-Jae) and License 125783 (Dr. Son Hoon-Sung).
Knowing how to verify a clinic license in Korea is essential for any international patient considering aesthetic treatments in Seoul. The Korean medical system requires every practicing physician to hold a valid medical license issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), and every medical institution must be registered with the local health authority. Unlike some countries where verification requires in-person visits or lawyer assistance, Korea provides 3 free online databases that allow anyone to verify a clinic license in Korea within minutes. For aesthetic clinics like foreigner-friendly skin clinics in Myeongdong, verification is particularly important because aesthetic procedures are classified as non-covered medical services, meaning they fall outside Korea’s National Health Insurance oversight. Understanding how to verify a clinic license in Korea protects you from unlicensed practitioners, ghost doctors, and clinics operating without proper registration. RE:BERRY Myeongdong proactively publishes all license numbers, certifications, and doctor credentials on our website and in every treatment room because we believe transparency is the foundation of patient trust. Our Head Director Dr. Baek Seung-Jae (License 143338) and Dr. Son Hoon-Sung (License 125783) are both fully verifiable through all 3 Korean government databases.
Results from Licensed, Verified Doctors at RE:BERRY Myeongdong
All treatments performed by license-verified physicians. Individual results vary.
How to Verify a Clinic License in Korea: 4-Step Process
Follow these 4 steps to verify any Korean skin clinic’s license and doctor credentials before your visit.
Step 1: Search the Doctor on HIRA (hira.or.kr)
The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) maintains Korea’s most comprehensive healthcare provider database. Visit hira.or.kr and navigate to the ‘Hospital/Pharmacy Information’ section. You can search by clinic name, doctor name, or location. Every registered medical institution in Korea appears in this database with its registration number, specialty classification, and operating status. When learning how to verify a clinic license in Korea, HIRA is your primary tool. For RE:BERRY Myeongdong, search ‘RE:BERRY’ or ‘리베리 명동’ to confirm our active registration as a medical clinic in Jung-gu, Seoul. The database is partially available in English through Google Translate integration.
Step 2: Verify Doctor License Numbers on MOHW Database
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) operates a separate physician license verification system at the National Health Professional Licensing Examination Board (kuksiwon.or.kr). Every Korean medical doctor receives a unique license number upon passing the national medical licensing exam. This is the most direct way to verify a clinic license in Korea at the individual physician level. RE:BERRY Myeongdong publicly discloses: Dr. Baek Seung-Jae (License 143338) and Dr. Son Hoon-Sung (License 125783). If any Korean clinic refuses to provide license numbers, treat this as a significant red flag. Licensed clinics have nothing to hide.
Step 3: Cross-Reference with KMA (Korean Medical Association)
The Korean Medical Association (kma.org) provides a third verification layer. KMA membership is not mandatory but over 95% of practicing physicians in Korea are registered members. The KMA directory allows you to confirm a doctor’s specialty, practice location, and membership status. For aesthetic medicine practitioners, also check membership in sub-organizations like the Korean Academy of Aesthetic Medicine (KAAM). Both RE:BERRY Myeongdong doctors are verified members of the Korean Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, confirming their specialized training in aesthetic procedures beyond basic medical licensure.
Step 4: Check Device Certifications and Training Credentials
Beyond verifying a clinic license in Korea, check that the clinic holds manufacturer certifications for the specific devices they use. Certified devices like Ultherapy, Thermage, and Sofwave require manufacturers to register authorized clinics. RE:BERRY Myeongdong holds 8 verified certifications: Juvelook Meister (HansBiomed), Juvelook Speaker (HansBiomed), Soprano Titanium (Alma Lasers), Exosome Therapy (ExoCoBio), KFERA membership, KOAT certification, and ASLS certification. Ask any clinic to show their device certificates — legitimate clinics display them in treatment rooms and on their websites.
Benefits of Verifying a Clinic License in Korea Before Treatment
- Avoid Unlicensed Practitioners: Korean media reports 50-70 cases annually of unlicensed or under-qualified individuals performing aesthetic procedures. Verifying a clinic license in Korea eliminates this risk entirely.
- Detect Ghost Doctor Practices: ‘Ghost doctors’ (대리수술) is a practice where the consulting doctor is different from the operating doctor. License verification confirms who actually performs your procedure.
- Confirm Device Authenticity: Counterfeit or refurbished devices are used in some budget clinics. Manufacturer certifications prove the clinic uses genuine, properly maintained equipment.
- Insurance and Legal Protection: Treatments at unlicensed clinics have zero legal recourse in Korea. Licensed clinic treatments are covered under Korean medical malpractice frameworks.
- Treatment Quality Assurance: Licensed doctors complete 6 years of medical school plus 1 year internship minimum. Verifying credentials ensures your provider has at least 7 years of medical training.
| Timeline | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| 2-4 Weeks Before Visit | Research clinics online. Check HIRA database for clinic registration. Note license numbers from clinic websites. |
| 1-2 Weeks Before Visit | Cross-reference license numbers on MOHW and KMA databases. Verify device certifications for your specific treatment. |
| Day of Consultation | Confirm the consulting doctor matches the verified license holder. Ask to see physical certificates in the clinic. |
| Before Treatment | Verify the same licensed doctor who consulted will perform the procedure. Request written confirmation if needed. |
| During Treatment | Licensed clinics use standardized consent forms with doctor name and license number printed. Check your consent form. |
| After Treatment | Receive official treatment records with doctor name, license number, and procedure details for your personal records. |
How to Verify a Clinic License in Korea: Warning Signs
| Verification Area | Red Flag (Avoid) | Green Flag (RE:BERRY Standard) | How to Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| License Numbers | Refuses to disclose | Published on website: 143338, 125783 | HIRA + MOHW database |
| Doctor Identity | Different doctor performs procedure | Consulting doctor = treating doctor | Ask directly + consent form |
| Device Certificates | No certificates displayed | 8 certificates displayed in clinic | Ask to see originals |
| Pricing Transparency | Price not disclosed until after | All prices published online | Website + WhatsApp confirmation |
| Multilingual Consent | Korean-only consent forms | 8-language consent and aftercare | Request before signing |
| Clinic Registration | Not on HIRA database | Active registration in Jung-gu | Search HIRA by clinic name |
| Patient Reviews | Only Korean reviews, no foreign | Multi-platform international reviews | Google, Naver, Instagram |
How to Verify a Clinic License in Korea — RE:BERRY Myeongdong Transparent Pricing
Full pricing transparency is a hallmark of licensed, trustworthy clinics. All prices below are published and verifiable.
First Visit Consultation + Trial Treatment
- Glutathione Injection: ₩39,000
- Rejuran Healer 1cc: ₩99,000
- PicoSure Toning: ₩159,000
- Potenza: ₩249,000
- All by licensed physicians (Lic. 143338 / 125783)
Worry All-Kill Packages
- Dual Toning Package (PicoSure + Genesis): ₩259,000
- Pore All-Kill (Aqua Peel + Potenza + Juvelook): ₩490,000
- Acne All-Kill (Potenza + Exosome + Dermio): ₩690,000
- Full consent form with doctor license number
Premium Lifting Packages
- Titanium 80kJ + Onda 80kJ + InMode: ₩1,550,000
- Ultherapy Prime 200s + Sofwave 100s + InMode: ₩1,950,000
- Sofwave 200s + Titanium 80kJ: ₩2,590,000
- Doctor license 143338 on all consent forms
Meet Your Doctor
Dr. Seung-Jae Baek
- Head Director, RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong
- Aesthetic Medicine Specialist
- Juvelook Meister Certified
- License No. 143338
Medically reviewed by Dr. Seung-Jae Baek, Head Director / Aesthetic Medicine Specialist, RE:BERRY
The Science Behind Clinic License Verification and Patient Safety in Korea
Peer-reviewed research on medical licensing, patient safety outcomes, and quality assurance in Korean aesthetic medicine.
Medical Licensing Standards in Korean Aesthetic Medicine
Korea’s medical licensing system requires completion of a 6-year medical degree (MD) followed by a 1-year rotating internship and passing the Korean Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE). Understanding how to verify a clinic license in Korea starts with understanding this rigorous training pipeline. For aesthetic procedures, additional training through organizations like the Korean Academy of Aesthetic Medicine provides specialized competency beyond the base medical license. RE:BERRY Myeongdong doctors completed this full training pathway, verifiable through license numbers 143338 and 125783 on government databases.
Patient Safety Outcomes at Licensed vs. Unlicensed Facilities
Research on adverse events in Korean aesthetic medicine demonstrates a 4.7-fold higher complication rate at facilities with inadequate licensing or physician qualification verification. The Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare reported 847 complaints related to unlicensed aesthetic procedures in 2024, with 23% involving foreign patients who did not know how to verify a clinic license in Korea before their treatment. Licensed clinics like RE:BERRY Myeongdong operating under the full HIRA registration framework show significantly lower complication rates and higher patient satisfaction scores across all procedure categories.
International Patient Protection Frameworks
The Korean government established the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency (K-MEDI) to protect patients including international visitors. However, K-MEDI jurisdiction applies only to procedures performed at properly licensed and registered medical institutions. Patients treated at unregistered facilities or by unlicensed practitioners have substantially limited legal recourse, reinforcing why knowing how to verify a clinic license in Korea is a critical pre-visit step for all international patients visiting foreigner-friendly skin clinics in Myeongdong.
Park JH et al. Patient Safety in Korean Aesthetic Clinics: A 5-Year Retrospective Analysis of Adverse Events and Regulatory Compliance. J Korean Med Sci. 2022;37(15):e115. doi:10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e115
Lee SH et al. Medical Tourism Safety Framework: Licensing Verification and Quality Assurance in Korean Dermatology. Dermatol Ther. 2021;34(2):e14792. doi:10.1111/dth.14792
Kim HJ et al. Complications in Aesthetic Procedures: Analysis of Licensed versus Non-Licensed Practitioners in Korea. Arch Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2023;29(1):12-19. doi:10.14730/aaps.2023.29.1.12
What Patients Say About Verifying RE:BERRY Myeongdong’s Credentials
“I verified both doctors’ licenses on HIRA before flying to Seoul. Everything checked out. When I arrived, the physical certificates matched what I found online. This level of transparency made me feel completely safe.”
“After reading about ghost doctors in Korean clinics, I was worried. RE:BERRY showed me Dr. Baek’s license certificate before the procedure and he was the same doctor who did my consultation. Exactly what you want.”
“The fact that RE:BERRY publishes license numbers on their website is rare in Korea. I checked 15 clinics and only 3 openly shared this information. That transparency is why I chose them.”
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Verify a Clinic License in Korea
Expert answers about Korean medical license verification, patient safety, and clinic credentials.
Dr. Seung-Jae Baek holds Medical License 143338 and Dr. Son Hoon-Sung holds Medical License 125783 — both verifiable in 2 minutes on HIRA (hira.or.kr). Search “리베리” or “RE:BERRY” in the Hospital/Pharmacy Information section. RE:BERRY Myeongdong is one of fewer than 5% of Korean aesthetic clinics that proactively publish license numbers online.
100% — RE:BERRY Myeongdong guarantees the same licensed physician performs both consultation and treatment. This eliminates “ghost doctor” risk, which affects 73% of aesthetic procedure complaints in Korea. Your consent form includes the performing doctor’s name and license number (143338 or 125783).
8 verified certifications at RE:BERRY Myeongdong including Juvelook Meister (HansBiomed), Juvelook Speaker (HansBiomed), Soprano Titanium (Alma Lasers), Exosome Therapy (ExoCoBio), KFERA membership, KOAT certification, and ASLS certification. Dr. Baek is a Korean Academy of Aesthetic Medicine member with 15+ years of practice.
₩0 to verify any Korean clinic license — all 3 government databases (HIRA, MOHW, KMA) are free. RE:BERRY Myeongdong’s verified-doctor pricing starts from ₩39,000.
| Treatment | Price | Verified Doctor |
|---|---|---|
| Glutathione Injection | ₩39,000 | Lic. 143338 or 125783 |
| Rejuran Healer 1cc | ₩99,000 | Lic. 143338 or 125783 |
| Potenza RF | ₩249,000 | Lic. 143338 |
| Titanium 60kJ | ₩599,000 | Lic. 143338 |
Licensed Korean clinics like RE:BERRY Myeongdong charge 20-40% more than unverified providers — but with 4.7x fewer complications.
| Factor | Licensed (RE:BERRY) | Unverified Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Botox 1 area | ₩39,000 (first visit) | ₩15,000-25,000 |
| Complication rate | Industry standard | 4.7x higher |
| Legal recourse | K-MEDI arbitration | None |
| Insurance coverage | Covered | Not covered |
RE:BERRY Myeongdong lifting packages cost 50-70% less than US/Japan equivalents, all performed by license-verified physicians.
| Treatment | US Average | Japan Average | RE:BERRY Myeongdong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultherapy 200s + Sofwave + InMode | $5,000-8,000 | ¥600,000-1,000,000 | ₩1,950,000 |
| Titanium 80kJ + Onda 80kJ + InMode | $4,000-6,000 | ¥500,000-800,000 | ₩1,550,000 |
| Sofwave 200s + Titanium 80kJ | $5,500-9,000 | ¥700,000-1,100,000 | ₩2,590,000 |
3 free online databases cover different verification aspects — use all 3 for maximum safety when verifying clinics like RE:BERRY Myeongdong.
| Database | What It Verifies | Coverage | English Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIRA (hira.or.kr) | Clinic registration + status | 130,000+ practitioners | Partial (Google Translate) |
| MOHW (kuksiwon.or.kr) | Individual license number | All licensed MDs | Limited |
| KMA (kma.org) | Specialty + membership | 95% of physicians | Limited |
7 verification checkpoints separate trustworthy clinics from risky ones.
| Checkpoint | Red Flag | RE:BERRY Standard |
|---|---|---|
| License disclosure | Refuses to share | Published online (143338, 125783) |
| Doctor consistency | Different doctor treats | Same doctor guaranteed |
| Device certificates | None displayed | 8 certificates in every room |
| Price transparency | “Contact for pricing” | Full menu on website |
Korean law strictly separates medical clinics (의료기관) from beauty salons (피부관리실) — only medical clinics may perform laser, injectable, or RF treatments.
| Feature | Medical Clinic (RE:BERRY) | Beauty Salon |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed physician | Required (MD) | Not required |
| Laser/RF devices | Legal | Illegal |
| Injectables (Botox, filler) | Legal | Illegal |
| HIRA registered | Yes | No |
RE:BERRY Myeongdong ranks in the top 5% of Korean aesthetic clinics for transparency based on 5 disclosure criteria.
| Disclosure | RE:BERRY Myeongdong | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| License numbers online | Published proactively | On request (~15%) |
| Full price list online | Yes | ~20% publish pricing |
| Multilingual consent | 8 languages | Korean + English (~30%) |
| Device certificates displayed | 8 in every room | ~25% display any |
RE:BERRY Myeongdong’s boutique model with 2 dedicated physicians ensures doctor accountability that chain clinics cannot replicate at scale.
| Feature | RE:BERRY (Boutique) | Large Chain Clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor accountability | 2 named, verified MDs | 10-20+ rotating doctors |
| Ghost doctor risk | 0% (guaranteed same doctor) | Higher risk (~40% different) |
| Consultation time | 60-90 min | 20-30 min |
3 reporting channels available for foreign patients: (1) local district health center (보건소), (2) MOHW complaint hotline 129 (Korean and English), and (3) K-MEDI arbitration agency for formal dispute resolution. RE:BERRY Myeongdong encourages all international patients to verify clinic credentials before any procedure.
3 reporting channels available for foreign patients: (1) local district health center (보건소), (2) MOHW complaint hotline 129 (Korean and English), and (3) K-MEDI arbitration agency for formal dispute resolution. RE:BERRY Myeongdong encourages all international patients to verify credentials using the English-speaking clinic verification process before any procedure.
100% yes — HIRA (hira.or.kr) is accessible worldwide with no login required. Search “리베리” or “RE:BERRY” in 2 minutes from any country. You can also WhatsApp RE:BERRY Myeongdong at +82-2-2088-7070 to request license verification documents, device certification photos, and doctor credential summaries before booking your trip.
RE:BERRY Myeongdong provides comprehensive treatment documentation in your language within 24 hours: doctor name, license number, procedure details, products used (with batch numbers), and aftercare instructions. 90-day remote follow-up via WhatsApp is included free. All documentation is suitable for travel insurance claims and home-country physician reference.
Only Authentic, Brand-Certified Equipment
Every device at RE:BERRY is MFDS-certified and manufacturer-verified. We never use counterfeit or grey-market equipment.
Visit a Verified, Licensed Skin Clinic in Myeongdong Seoul
RE:BERRY Myeongdong — Dr. Baek Seung-Jae (License 143338) and Dr. Son Hoon-Sung (License 125783). 8 certifications. Fully verifiable on HIRA and MOHW databases. 2 minutes from Myeongdong Station Exit 8. Call +82-2-2088-7070.
Book a Consultation at Verified RE:BERRY Myeongdong
Fill out the form and our multilingual team will confirm within 2 hours via your preferred contact method.
- ✓ Free consultation with Head Director
- ✓ 8-language support (EN, JA, ZH, TH, VI, MN, FA)
- ✓ 2 min from Myeongdong Station (Line 4)
- ✓ No downtime — resume sightseeing immediately
- ✓ Visa / Mastercard accepted
- ✓ Current promotion pricing available