Glossary
Patient Rights Glossary: Consent, Refunds, Korea KFDA Reporting
Fifty-two patient-rights words I had to learn the hard way — what consent actually covers, what a refund policy can and can't say, and who you call when something goes wrong.
I learned most of this vocabulary the slow way. The first time I asked for an English translation of a 동의서 (consent form) the consultant nodded politely and slid one across the desk, and I realized I had not actually known I was allowed to ask. The second time, at a different clinic, I asked about the refund policy on a five-session package and was told — correctly, but not gently — that aesthetic procedures already performed are not refundable, and that the unused portion would be refunded minus a percentage I should have read about before signing. The third time I had a mild adverse reaction to a filler product and learned, looking it up later, that there is a Korean MFDS reporting form for exactly that situation, and that the clinic is supposed to report it whether or not I do. So I started a list. Fifty-two terms now, grouped by where in your patient experience you'll meet them — consent, records and privacy, refunds, complaints, KFDA reporting, foreign-patient specific rights, and the institutional acronyms (KAMI, KHIDI, MoHW) that quietly govern how Korean medical tourism is supposed to work. None of this is legal advice and I am not a lawyer or a translator. I am a foreign patient who learned what to ask for after several visits where I should have asked for it sooner. Read it the way you would skim a tenancy agreement before signing — once through, slowly, and then again with a pen in hand when an actual document is in front of you. The words on this page are the words that show up when something is at stake.
“The right that's actually hard to exercise is the right to slow down. Everything else — the consent translation, the refund clause, the medical record copy, the photo opt-out — exists in writing. But pausing the conversation when something feels rushed is the one you have to give yourself permission for. Reputable clinics will wait. Less reputable ones tell you what that's about.”
Rachel Bennett, fieldnotes from the Seoul patient-rights project
Frequently asked questions
If I sign a Korean-only consent form, is it legally binding?
Generally yes, even if you don't fully read it. Korean courts treat a signed consent form as evidence of agreement absent fraud or coercion, and the burden of showing you didn't understand falls on you, not the clinic. Which is why the practical advice is to never sign a Korean-only form for any non-trivial procedure. Request the multilingual version, or have the interpreter write a summary in your language onto the Korean form before signing. International-registered clinics expect the request and have English forms on file. Clinics that resist providing a translation are giving you data about how they handle disputes.
Can I get a refund if I'm unhappy with the result of an aesthetic procedure?
Almost never on the basis of dissatisfaction alone. Korean refund culture for aesthetic procedures is built around what was performed, not how you feel about the result — if the procedure was done competently and matches what was consented to, a refund based on the outcome is rarely available. Refunds are real for unused sessions of a multi-session package, for advance payments before treatment begins, and in cases of clear malpractice. They're rare for outcome dissatisfaction. The treatment-guarantee terms in the original consent paperwork (free touch-ups, free re-treatment within a window) are usually the path forward when you're unhappy with the result.
How do I report an adverse reaction to a filler or device after I've already returned home?
You can report to Korea's MFDS through the English-language consumer reporting page, even from abroad and even months later. The form asks for the device or product name, the lot number where you can find it, your symptoms, and a timeline. Take photos of the product packaging at the clinic if you can — the lot number is the single most useful piece of information for safety surveillance. You can also notify the clinic and request that they file the report through their channels; serious clinics will. Reporting matters because it adds to the data MFDS uses to flag patterns, even if your individual case doesn't lead to specific action.
What's the difference between KAMI membership and KHIDI registration, and which matters more?
KHIDI registration matters more. It's a mandatory government license — a clinic without it is not legally authorized to attract and treat foreign patients. KAMI membership is voluntary industry membership signaling a code-of-practice commitment, useful as additional context but not as a baseline. The practical sequence is: verify the KHIDI registration number first (you can check it on the KHIDI database), then look at KAMI membership as a soft positive signal. A clinic with KHIDI but not KAMI is fine; a clinic with KAMI but no current KHIDI registration is a serious flag. The numbers are public; checking takes five minutes.
Do I have the right to ask for my photos to be deleted after I leave the clinic?
Partially. Marketing-use photos can be withdrawn — you can revoke the marketing consent at any time, and the clinic is required to remove your images from public-facing materials within a reasonable window. Clinical-record photos are part of your medical record and are retained for the legally-required period (five years for outpatient, ten years for inpatient or surgical), even if you ask. After the retention period, you can request deletion. The distinction is between marketing material (deletable on request) and medical record (retained as required, then deletable). The clinic's privacy notice should explain both processes.
What if the clinic refuses to give me my medical records?
It's a clear violation of Korean law. Article 21 of the Medical Service Act guarantees patients the right to receive copies of their own medical records, and clinics that refuse are subject to administrative penalties. The first step is a formal written request specifying which records and in what form. If the clinic still refuses, escalate to the local public health center (보건소, bogeonso) where the clinic is registered, or to MoHW through the 129 hotline. International patients can also raise the issue through the embassy's consular services or through KMDMAA's mediation channel. The clinic almost always complies once a formal channel is invoked.
Is telemedicine follow-up after I return home actually a real option?
Yes, with a specific clinic that already treated you in person. Korea allows telemedicine between established patient and treating clinic for follow-up purposes, including video consultation, prescription review, and aftercare guidance. New-patient consultations entirely by telemedicine are more restricted. For international patients who flew in for a procedure and need follow-up, the practical setup is a KakaoTalk video appointment or a Zoom link with the original coordinator and physician. Confirm the arrangement at the original consultation, agree on the platform and the schedule, and treat it as part of the package you're paying for, not a favor.