Seoul National University Hospital

Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) is South Korea's foremost public teaching hospital and the nation's most prestigious medical institution. Its origins trace back to 1885, when King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty established Gwanghyewon, Korea's first Western-style government hospital, with the support of American missionary physician Horace N. Allen. This makes SNUH one of the oldest modern medical institutions in East Asia. Over its more than 135-year history, the hospital has been at the center of virtually every major advancement in Korean medicine.

Located in the Jongno-gu district of central Seoul, near the historic Changgyeonggung Palace, SNUH operates 1,780 beds and employs over 8,000 staff, including more than 1,500 physicians. As the primary teaching hospital of Seoul National University College of Medicine, consistently ranked as the top medical school in South Korea, SNUH combines the highest level of clinical care with pioneering medical research and the training of future medical leaders.

SNUH consistently ranks as South Korea's number one hospital across all major domestic and international hospital ranking systems. The hospital is a national referral center for the most complex and challenging medical cases across all specialties, particularly in oncology, cardiovascular medicine, neurosciences, and transplantation. The Seoul National University Cancer Hospital, a dedicated facility within the SNUH campus, is one of the most advanced comprehensive cancer centers in Asia.

The hospital is accredited by the Korea Institute for Healthcare Accreditation (KOIHA) and maintains the highest standards of clinical governance. SNUH's research output is the largest of any hospital in South Korea, with its faculty publishing in leading international journals and participating in global multicenter clinical trials. The SNUH Biomedical Research Institute conducts translational research spanning genomics, immunology, medical devices, and artificial intelligence in medicine.

Seoul National University Hospital's International Healthcare Center serves patients from around the world who seek access to Korea's highest-ranked medical institution. The center provides comprehensive support including initial medical record review and specialist matching, detailed treatment plans with transparent cost estimates before arrival, medical visa documentation and invitation letter issuance, airport reception and transportation services, dedicated English-speaking coordinators assigned to each international patient, professional medical interpretation in English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and other languages, comfortable international patient rooms, assistance with nearby hotel and serviced apartment bookings in the Jongno and Dongdaemun areas, coordination with international health insurance providers, and structured post-discharge follow-up including remote consultations with treating specialists. SNUH's central Seoul location offers excellent access to public transportation, cultural sites, and a wide range of accommodation options.