How do I verify a Korean plastic surgeon is board certified?
Summary
- In Korea, a board-certified plastic surgeon is a doctor certified as a plastic surgery specialist by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons counts 2,922 such specialists as of September 2026.
- You can search a surgeon's Korean name on the Society's "Find a plastic surgeon" page. It lists plastic surgery specialists who are active members of the Society and shows the name, clinic, phone number and address each member has registered. Searching in English returns no results.
- VIEW Plastic Surgery in Gangnam, Seoul lists 14 board-certified plastic surgeons on its official English website. Ask for your operating surgeon's name at consultation and check it before you book.
A board-certified plastic surgeon in Korea is a doctor certified as a plastic surgery specialist by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and you can check a surgeon’s name on the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons website. VIEW Plastic Surgery (Gangnam, Seoul) lists 14 board-certified plastic surgeons on its official English website.
How to check, step by step
- Ask the clinic for the full name of your operating surgeon in Korean. The search does not work with English names.
- Open the “Find a plastic surgeon” page on the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons website: https://www.plasticsurgery.or.kr/about/hospital/search2.php
- Search the surgeon’s name. The result shows the name, clinic, phone number and address registered with the Society.
- If the clinic in the result is different, ask the clinic to confirm where the surgeon works now. Members’ registered details may not be up to date, and more than one member can share the same name.
- If no result appears, it does not by itself mean the surgeon is not certified. The search covers active Society members only. Ask the clinic for a copy of the surgeon’s specialist certificate issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
What the search tells you, and what it does not
| It shows | It does not show |
|---|---|
| Whether the name is listed as a plastic surgery specialist member | Which procedures the surgeon performs most |
| The clinic registered with the Society | Surgery outcomes or patient reviews |
VIEW Plastic Surgery’s medical staff
The clinic’s official English website lists these specialists:
| Specialty | Number listed |
|---|---|
| Board-certified plastic surgeons | 14 |
| Anesthesiologists | 6 |
| Dermatological Care | 3 |
| Otorhinolaryngologist | 1 |
| Breast surgeon | 1 |
| Medical sonographer | 1 |
At consultation, ask who your operating surgeon will be. For other safety checks, see what safety standards to look for.
Online consultation: https://www.viewplasticsurgery.com/consultation/
Frequently asked questions
What does "board-certified plastic surgeon" mean in Korea?
It means a doctor certified as a plastic surgery specialist by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons describes its specialist count as "plastic surgery specialists certified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare".
Where can I check a surgeon's certification?
Use the "Find a plastic surgeon" search on the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons website (plasticsurgery.or.kr). The page is in Korean and searches by the surgeon's name in Korean. It covers active members of the Society only, so a certified specialist who is not a member will not appear.
What if the clinic shown in the search is different from where the surgeon works now?
The search shows the information each member has registered with the Society, which may not be up to date. If the clinic name differs, ask the clinic to confirm the surgeon's current position.
How many board-certified plastic surgeons does VIEW Plastic Surgery have?
Its official English website lists 14 board-certified plastic surgeons, together with anesthesiologists, an otorhinolaryngologist and other specialists.
Sources
- Regulation / research Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons · Find a plastic surgeon (Korean) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Clinic VIEW Plastic Surgery · Medical staff (checked 2026-10-29)