Egg Freezing & IVF in South Korea
At Zora Health, you are our top priority. Our panel of experts will guide you through every step of the fertility treatment journey, helping you make informed decisions about your options, expected outcomes, and costs. Our South Korea clinic offers families the same options as our other clinics around the world.
Egg freezing, also known as mature oocyte cryopreservation, is a method used to save women’s ability to get pregnant in the future.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a procedure used to help with fertility, prevent genetic problems and assist with the conception of a child
Spread out the cost of treatment over 12, 24, and 36 months to avoid large upfront payments and reduce financial burden.
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Ready to do your egg freezing & IVF journey in South Korea?
Accessible & affordable fertility care in South Korea
Egg Freezing and IVF in South Korea
Despite having the lowest fertility rate in the world, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and egg freezing treatments are outstanding in South Korea. The country enjoys a solid reputation when it comes to technological advancements in embryology laboratories and transfer procedures. Every embryo transfer process has a more than 50% chance of leading to a successful pregnancy, higher than anywhere else in the world. All fertility doctors in medical tourism facilities who perform egg retrieval, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, sperm retrieval, implantation, and other treatments are internationally accredited.
What Medical Tourists Should Know About South Korea
All medical facilities catering to international patients must register and meet the Medical Service Act requirements. Medical technology in Korea ranks high as they are currently #3 in the world for the volume of CT scans and MRI machines they have. Most establishments that specialise in medical tourism have a dedicated International Patients Department composed of an English-speaking staff. On top of their membership in the Korean Medical Association (KMA), only internationally accredited doctors cater to medical travellers.
If you plan to be a medical tourist in South Korea, you must first receive an invitation either from registered medical providers or medical tourism agencies to have your desired treatment done there. Each international patient is allowed to stay up to 180 days on a case-to-case basis.
South Korea is most famous as the land of K-pop, which reached its peak in 2020 largely due to the world-famous BTS boy band. Other K-pop stars like the BLACKPINK girl group have also made their mark internationally. A stunning country with a rich history, you can immerse yourself in the pop and party culture of the capital city of Seoul. Forests filled with pine trees and white sand beaches are the pride of Jeju Island. You can also explore the mountains, hot springs, and beaches of Busan.
South Korea is a very safe country to visit. Consider going in groups when travelling at night. Although very conservative regarding LGBTIs, there are ongoing advocacies among NGOs that support LGBTIs and a rise in clubs and festivals that cater to them. It is wise to stay in major cities because, in the event of emergencies, travellers may find a delayed response from doctors and first responders outside of the metropolis.
There are many international airports in Korea, including the Incheon, Gimpo, Jeju, and Gimhae airports. Using the local subway or bus system can get you around Seoul, Busan, and other cities. Korean bullet trains make intercity travel convenient and accessible.
The stigma towards unwed mothers is gradually changing
According to the Centre for Public Impact organization, South Korea has the lowest fertility rate in the world. Besides steep housing costs, widespread conservatism has contributed to this national issue. Social norms have made it difficult for the majority of modern women to conceive.
Back in 2020, a female celebrity publicly questioned the restrictions imposed by South Korean authorities regarding infertility treatments that are not favourable to single women like her. She compared the country's rules and regulations to Japan, where she underwent IVF treatment without facing restrictions. She blames the stigma that single mothers face in her own country.
This has sparked controversy and as a result, many South Korean politicians have called for the amendment of the strict laws that prevent unwed women from realising their dream of becoming mothers. The proposed legalisation of IVF in the nation is now advocated by many South Korean authorities and the Human Rights Commission. These moves are now changing the social attitudes of citizens.
A survey conducted by Statistics Korea revealed that 31% of South Koreans accept having children outside of marriage. More South Korean women are choosing to freeze their oocytes each year. According to CHA Medical Group, the number increased 12-fold from 2013 to 2017. Hopefully, this would lead the country to improve its fertility rate.
Aside from the Korean official language with its five dialects, other languages spoken are English, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese.
Benefits of Doing Fertility Treatments in South Korea
IVF treatment is a godsend for those who cannot conceive the normal way of having the egg and sperm meet in the fallopian tubes. In the process, both the egg and sperm are harvested artificially for fertilisation and incubation before implanting the embryo in the uterus. South Korea’s IVF clinics are listed as some of the best across the globe with a pregnancy success rate of 50-60% per embryo transfer procedure. This number is whopping compared to the average of approximately 30% around the world.
Embryology laboratories throughout the nation are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Korean infertility specialists commonly select only one embryo for transferring to prevent the risk of multiple pregnancies. Many women who choose South Korea over other countries for their infertility treatment have a higher chance of pregnancy after only one or two embryo transfers.
Cost Considerations
For medical tourists, the IVF costs in South Korea range from KRW 5,100,000 to 12,640,000 (USD 4,500 to 9,500) per cycle. A complete package includes medications and tests. The next IVF cycles do not have to include the costs of retrieving oocytes and cultivating embryos if the embryos collected from the initial cycle are kept in good condition.
For women who plan to have children in the future, egg freezing costs around KRW 2.5 million to 5 million per session in South Korea, according to The Straits Times. You would have to add KRW 300,000 (USD 225) every year to store them. Unfortunately for locals, the National Health Insurance does not provide coverage for this process.
The good news is that the Seoul Metropolitan Government will start funding some procedures for eligible married couples in 2024. The subsidies that the government would cover for sub-fertility treatments are up to KRW 1.1 million for IVF while it will subsidise egg freezing up to half of its total costs, with a maximum ceiling price of KRW 2 million. Even though only married couples can be supported by the IVF subsidy, unmarried women who are 30 to 40 years old can avail of the support of the government when they freeze their eggs for the first time.
Additionally, the General Insurance Association pledged to donate up to KRW 4 billion for this project. These treatments would soon be available in public health centres for Korean nationals and residents.
Other Considerations Before Starting Your Fertility Treatment in South Korea
Why Choose South Korea for Your Fertility Treatment
South Korea is more than the land of K-pop. If you suffer from unexplained infertility or have blocked fallopian tubes, it's the place to go for IVF and egg freezing treatment. Many fertility centres in the land have the latest technology in their systems of freezing and aseptic culture. It takes only 28 days from the first day you visit the centre to know if you have achieved a successful pregnancy. Pre- and post-procedure, you can also visit historic cities and temples, bask in nature in its national parks, and taste sumptuous Korean food at its restaurants and markets.
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"Clear pricing - clarity & support from start to end."
"I love Zora Health for their simple, transparent pricing. It was a relief not to worry about unexpected fees or hidden costs. They made the entire process stress-free and easy to understand, which allowed my husband and I to focus on what mattered most - my family's future."
"I couldn't believe that I can choose my own doctor and enjoy extra benefits for the same price."
"I had a preferred doctor overseas that my girl friends recommended. He is part of Zora’s clinic network, but I was interested in Zora’s support and perks. After speaking to Zora, they assured me I wouldn’t pay extra. Zora managed the whole process - from personalised guidance to answering my queries about legalities."
"The financing options lifted a huge weight off my shoulders."
"Zora’s instalment plans were a true lifesaver. I was so grateful for their flexible and affordable options. I have been thinking about preserving my eggs as a form of “insurance” but didn’t want to pay a big lump sum upfront as I am saving for a house. The instalment plan helps me manage my finances better.”
"I never felt alone in my fertility journey."
"After failing previously, we were very anxious and were not sure what to expect. They guided us through the process and cared for us every step of the way. My treatment at the clinic was long, and sometimes it was emotionally draining, but having a fertility coach made us feel better and more prepared. As busy professionals, we appreciate the convenience of scheduling appointments through Zora. I have recommended Zora to all our friends."
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