Do Medical Records Really Need Korean Translation? (2026 Update)

No. For remote review (pre-arrival review) and treatment, you can submit your documents exactly as they are—in English or any other language—and the platform takes care of organizing and translating everything into Korean so that Korean medical staff can review it.

Key Takeaways

• Imaging files (DICOM), pathology reports, diagnostic certificates, medication history, and genetic test results submitted for remote review can be sent in their original language, regardless of what that language is. The operating team handles the organizing and Korean translation before passing everything to the medical staff.
• Regardless of the language you submit in, you will receive the written opinion back in your own language.
• Conversely, for documents you'll need to show to local doctors after returning home—such as English-language medical expense receipts, itemized billing statements, diagnostic certificates, and clinical summaries—you can request these in English through the tertiary hospital's international clinic center. If you need a language other than English, translation support is also available.
• Since insurance claim document formats vary by insurer, it's best to confirm the required document list with your insurance company before leaving Korea.

Do I Need to Translate My Records into Korean Before Sending Them?

• No. You can upload your existing records exactly as they are, in their original language. During the remote review process, the operating team organizes the submitted imaging, pathology reports, diagnostic certificates, medication history, genetic test results, and other documents, translates them into Korean, and forwards them to the oncology/surgical teams at Korean tertiary hospitals.
• Even if your records are only in Russian or Chinese, you can submit them as-is with no need to pay for separate translation. Once the review is complete, the written opinion is delivered back to you in your own language.

Can I Get My Korean Treatment Records in English (or Another Language)?

• Yes. So that doctors in your home country can continue your care after you return, you can request an English-language clinical summary (handover note), pathology report, imaging files, test results, and a follow-up testing schedule.
• If you need documents for an insurance claim, the international clinic center can issue an English medical expense receipt, an English itemized billing statement (the core document insurers actually check), an English diagnostic certificate (often required to include disease codes), an English admission/discharge confirmation, an English operation record, an English clinical summary, English prescriptions and medication records, and copies of test results and imaging.
• English documents aren't issued automatically—you have to request them, and processing can take a few days, so apply well ahead of your departure date. If you need a language other than English, the operating team can arrange translation support.

What Is the Step-by-Step Process for Preparing Documents?

1. Step 1: Submit your existing records (imaging DICOM files, pathology/biopsy reports, diagnostic certificates, medication history, genetic test results, etc.) in their original language.
2. Step 2: The operating team organizes the records, translates them into Korean, and delivers them to the medical staff.
3. Step 3: Oncology and surgical teams at Korean tertiary hospitals cross-review the case and prepare a written opinion.
4. Step 4: You receive the written opinion in your own language within 5 business days from the date all records were received.
5. Step 5: Before returning home after treatment ends, apply in advance through the international clinic center for English-language (or other needed language) clinical summaries and insurance claim documents.

FAQ — What If My Records Are Only in Russian or Chinese?

Just submit them as-is. The remote review process is designed to accept records in any language—the operating team organizes them, translates them into Korean, and forwards them to the medical staff. You don't need to prepare your own translation, and the finished written opinion will be delivered back to you in your own language.

FAQ — What Language Do Insurance Claim Documents Need to Be In?

English is the standard in most cases. Commonly requested items include an English itemized billing statement, receipt, diagnostic certificate, admission/discharge confirmation, operation record, and clinical summary—with the itemized billing statement generally being what insurers focus on most closely. That said, requirements and additional language needs vary by insurer, so it's recommended to get written confirmation from your insurance company before leaving—specifically, which documents you need from the Korean hospital and in what language.

Sources and Notes

• This article was compiled based on notes covering insurance and documentation, remote review, and post-return care management, drawing on materials from Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare, Medical Korea, HiKorea, and the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI).
• This content is provided for general medical information purposes only. Diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes may vary depending on individual circumstances. Please consult with your medical team to determine the appropriate diagnosis and treatment for your specific condition.