Along with Korea's success in economic development, the overall health of Koreans has improved significantly over the past three decades. In 1960, the life expectancy was 51 years for males and 54 for females. These figures have increased to 74.4 for males and 81.2 for females in 2005. The infant mortality rate has likewise declined sharply, along with maternal mortality as well.

These improvements are all directly related to improvement in diet as well as in available health and medical services. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) is responsible for all aspects of health services, including the strategic planning for the maintenance and promotion of national health and social welfare. The annual budget of MOHW has been growing in recent years. In 2005, it amounted to 8,906 trillion won (approximately US$9.2 billion).

People are increasingly relying on medicine and medical services and the share of medical costs to total household expenditures has increased accordingly. In 1985, national health expenditure per capita was 85,000 won which increased to 840,133 won in 2003.

Health care in the form of medical insurance and medical assistance was first introduced in 1977. However, the coverage rate was only 29.5 percent until 1980. As of Dec. 2005, 96.4 percent of the population had access to health insurance, with the remaining 3.6 percent being able to receive direct medical assistance.

The supply of hospitals and medical personnel has continuously increased. The total number of hospitals and clinics in the nation (including Oriental medicine hospitals and clinics) was 11,188 in 1975, which increased to 49,187 in 2005. Meanwhile, the number of licensed doctors that totaled 16,800 in 1975 increased to 81,998 in 2004.

National statistics for 2004 showed that there was one physician for every 500 persons, one dentist for every 2,320 and one pharmacist for every 899.