Discovering healthcare in South Korea has been a very interesting and eye-opening experience. Pharmacies are on almost every street and there are many different places to buy medicine, vitamins and health products. You can even find health drinks and supplements in convenience stores. Seoul has made me wonder: how is healthcare in South Korea so visible and easy to access?
When I first arrived in South Korea, one of the things that stood out to me the most were the many signs with the word 약 (yak). After walking more around Seoul, I found out that 약 means medicine and comes from 약국 (yaguk, meaning pharmacy). Pharmacies are very common and easy to find, many only five minutes apart from the previous one. Most are located right next to clinics or on busy streets, making immediate treatment very accessible.
They are also very organized and run smoothly. While thankfully I haven’t had to seek medical attention in Seoul, some of my friends have needed to get medicine for allergies or colds. Based on their experiences, service in pharmacies is not only precise but also fast.
