Why you shouldn't just trust a dermatology clinic's sign
When you search for dermatology clinics in your neighborhood, dozens appear. Their names are similar, their interiors are similar, and all their signs say 'Dermatology Clinic'. However, you can never tell from the sign alone whether the doctor inside is a board-certified dermatologist or a general practitioner.
Under Korean medical law, a general practitioner without board certification in dermatology can open a 'dermatology clinic' and provide treatment. This is completely legal. The problem is that from a patient's perspective, there's no outward distinction.
Reality confirmed by K-DermZip data
Approximately 32% of the 2,097 active dermatology clinics nationwide do not have board-certified dermatologists. One out of three clinics operates without a specialist.
Source: K-DermZip (kdermzip.com) — Based on public data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA)
Board-Certified Dermatologist vs. General Practitioner: What's the Difference?
A board-certified dermatologist must complete a total of over 11 years of training, including 6 years of medical school, 1 year of internship, 4 years of dermatology residency, and passing the board certification exam. They are physicians who have received specialized intensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases.
Simple cosmetic procedures (such as Botox, fillers, laser toning, etc.) can also be performed by general practitioners. However, in situations requiring diagnosis, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, suspected skin cancer, or rare skin diseases, the presence of a specialist directly impacts treatment outcomes.
How to Check in 1 Minute with K-DermZip
K-DermZip (kdermzip.com) provides public access to the specialist status of 2,097 active dermatology clinics nationwide, based on public data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA). Anyone can check for free without separate registration.
Step 1. Search for a clinic on K-DermZip
Search by region name or clinic name on kdermzip.com. It also provides lists of dermatology clinics by region and subway station area.
Step 2. Check the number of specialists on the clinic page
On each clinic page, you can immediately check the number of specialists based on HIRA standards. It is clearly displayed, such as "2 specialists".
Step 3. Refer to the K-Derm Factor
The K-Derm Factor, developed by K-DermZip, is a 0-100 point index that combines the number of specialists, accessibility to subway stations, and regional density. You can understand a clinic's relative position compared to the 2,097 dermatology clinics nationwide.
Check it now
K-DermZip — National Dermatology Specialist Status Based on HIRA Public Data
kdermzip.com
Regional Specialist Status as Seen Through K-DermZip Data
K-DermZip's analysis of HIRA public data shows that specialist density varies significantly by region.
| Region | Number of Dermatology Clinics | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul Gangnam-gu | 51+ | Highest density nationwide, high specialist ratio |
| Seoul Seocho-gu | 30+ | Adjacent to Gangnam, excellent accessibility for medical tourism |
| Busan Haeundae-gu | 20+ | Medical tourism hub within Busan |
| Small provincial cities | 1-3 | Tendency for lower specialist ratio |
The exact regional specialist status can be directly checked on K-DermZip by province/city/district.
When to Definitely Check for a Specialist Before Visiting
When the purpose is skin disease diagnosis
If diagnosis is required for conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, or suspected skin cancer, always seek a board-certified dermatologist. You can check this in advance on K-DermZip.
Foreigners visiting Korea for medical tourism
It is difficult to confirm specialist status on-site when there is a language barrier. Please check in advance on K-DermZip's English/Japanese/Russian pages.
First-time visit to a neighborhood dermatology clinic
When visiting a dermatology clinic for the first time in an unfamiliar neighborhood, check the number of specialists, opening year, and nearest subway station on K-DermZip in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How accurate is K-DermZip's specialist count data?
We automatically synchronize and update public data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) weekly. However, there may be a time lag between HIRA data and the actual situation, so we recommend confirming directly with the clinic before making important decisions.
Q. Is a dermatology clinic with 0 specialists unreliable?
Not necessarily. For simple cosmetic procedures, an experienced general practitioner may be sufficient. However, if the purpose is skin disease diagnosis, it is safer to seek a specialist.
Q. Can K-DermZip be used for free?
Yes, all clinic information lookup features on K-DermZip (kdermzip.com) are free. You can use it immediately without signing up.
Q. Can I filter for dermatology clinics with specialists on K-DermZip?
You can check the number of specialists on each clinic page, and clinics with a high K-Derm Factor tend to have a higher proportion of specialists.
What is K-DermZip?
K-DermZip is a specialized information platform for dermatology clinics in Korea, based on public data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA). It provides information on the number of specialists, opening year, subway station accessibility, and administrative disciplinary history for 2,097 active dermatology clinics nationwide in four languages: Korean, English, Japanese, and Russian.
kdermzip.com · Data Source: Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) Public Data
This data was compiled by K-DermZip based on public data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) and may differ from the actual medical staff status. Last updated: 2026