The U.S. Embassy in Seoul issued a travel advisory on March 11, urging American citizens to consider purchasing emergency travel insurance, including medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) coverage, before visiting Korea.

The advisory highlighted that the physician shortage has forced major hospitals to cancel appointments and delay surgeries in Korea.

In response to the crisis, the embassy reported receiving numerous complaints about "complications involving access to emergency care," adding that major hospitals are prioritizing care "based on the severity of injury or illness." The embassy warned that in such cases, emergency care may be "delayed or even denied for non-life-threatening or less urgent cases."

While smaller private hospitals and clinics have been less affected, the embassy added that the shortage has still led to "delayed specialty appointments and deferred routine procedures" even at these smaller centers.

For those requiring immediate care, the embassy pointed to a Ministry of Health and Welfare database listing available emergency services, although it is only available in Korean. The embassy recommended using online translation tools like Google Translate to navigate the site.

Despite these challenges, the embassy reassured that “English-speaking medical professionals are often available after-hours to assist foreigners and provide them with relevant medical information” in a separate notice issued in October 2024.

Additionally, the embassy has compiled a list of English-speaking physicians and dentists, although it noted that this list is not exhaustive and does not constitute an official endorsement.