South Korea’s Health Ministry on Monday released a set of measures to better protect foreign patients from possible medical accidents and negligence, as well as being overcharged while being treated at health care institutions here.

The measures include enforcing all Korean general hospitals that receive foreign patients to be insured for at least 200 million won ($170,000) for medical accidents and disputes. Smaller clinics will be required to be insured for at least 100 million won.

All medical institutions are currently required to be certified by the government in order to treat foreign patients. Owners of uncertified clinics and hospitals that treat overseas patients may face up to 3 years in prison or a fine of 30 million won in future.

South Korea aims to attract 400,000 foreign patients this year while creating 50,000 more jobs in the health and pharmaceutical industries.

Last month, the Health Ministry established the Medical Korea Information Center, a state-run agency that offers translation services, information on treatment options and costs and support for medical disputes, in Myeong-dong, Seoul.

Also starting this year, Korea will refund foreign patients with the 10 percent value-added tax charged for receive treatments at dermatology and cosmetic surgery clinics.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)