ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AMONG HEALTH TOURISTS IN KOREA
The Chosun Ilbo, S. Korea
Jan 24 2014
Korea's booming medical tourism industry has for the first time
attracted a foreign head of state as the Armenian president had
rejuvenation treatment here recently.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan was driven by a convoy of black
sedans to Chaum Center in Gangnam on Jan. 9 led by a police escort.
Chaum is a rejuvenation clinic run by CHA Health Systems.
Accompanying Sargsyan were the ex-president of a former Soviet
satellite nation and a Russian tycoon from Armenia. The tycoon had
also been part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's entourage on his
state visit last year and experienced the clinic's service at the time.
The group visited Chaum every day during their weeklong stay here and
had treatment including stem cell therapy, spa and anti-aging therapy,
body polishes and massages and weight-control programs.
Clinic staff say Sargsyan was escorted by police and the National
Intelligence Service during his stay. The group paid a total of W200
million (US$1=W1,076) for their treatment and left on Jan. 17.
Since opening in 2010, Chaum has drawn many rich people from around
the world who come to Seoul in their private jets. Among them were
Chinese and Canadian business tycoons, the prime minister of Kazakhstan
and Saudi and UAE royalty.
The reasons for medical tourism are diversifying. Recently, former
Korean national soccer coach Guus Hiddink visited a hospital in Seoul
to undergo knee surgery.
Last year, more than 200,000 foreigners are estimated to have visited
Korea for medical treatment. The Health Ministry expects the number
of medical tourists to reach 1 million in 2020.
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/01/24/2014012401684.html
The Chosun Ilbo, S. Korea
Jan 24 2014
Korea's booming medical tourism industry has for the first time
attracted a foreign head of state as the Armenian president had
rejuvenation treatment here recently.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan was driven by a convoy of black
sedans to Chaum Center in Gangnam on Jan. 9 led by a police escort.
Chaum is a rejuvenation clinic run by CHA Health Systems.
Accompanying Sargsyan were the ex-president of a former Soviet
satellite nation and a Russian tycoon from Armenia. The tycoon had
also been part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's entourage on his
state visit last year and experienced the clinic's service at the time.
The group visited Chaum every day during their weeklong stay here and
had treatment including stem cell therapy, spa and anti-aging therapy,
body polishes and massages and weight-control programs.
Clinic staff say Sargsyan was escorted by police and the National
Intelligence Service during his stay. The group paid a total of W200
million (US$1=W1,076) for their treatment and left on Jan. 17.
Since opening in 2010, Chaum has drawn many rich people from around
the world who come to Seoul in their private jets. Among them were
Chinese and Canadian business tycoons, the prime minister of Kazakhstan
and Saudi and UAE royalty.
The reasons for medical tourism are diversifying. Recently, former
Korean national soccer coach Guus Hiddink visited a hospital in Seoul
to undergo knee surgery.
Last year, more than 200,000 foreigners are estimated to have visited
Korea for medical treatment. The Health Ministry expects the number
of medical tourists to reach 1 million in 2020.
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/01/24/2014012401684.html