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A sudden cold or stomach bug always seems to strike right when the whole country shuts down for Chuseok, Korea’s autumn harvest holiday.
Chasing down an open clinic can turn a holiday into a stressful scramble.
But during Korea’s 2026 Chuseok holiday (September 24-27), you don’t need a clinic you’ve visited before — a Chuseok telemedicine app lets you see a doctor from home, even as a first-time patient, and get your prescription sent straight to a nearby pharmacy.
This guide covers Chuseok telemedicine in Korea step by step: who can get first-visit care, how to pick up your prescription, which apps to use, and how to find pharmacies that are open. Under current Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부) rules, holiday periods like Chuseok allow first-visit telemedicine even at a clinic you’ve never been to.
Chuseok Telemedicine in Korea: Can I Get First-Visit Care?
Yes. During the Chuseok holiday, you can get a first-visit telemedicine consultation even at a clinic you’ve never been to.
Telemedicine is a system that lets a patient consult a doctor by smartphone video or voice call instead of visiting a clinic in person. On regular weekdays, telemedicine mostly requires a follow-up visit — you need to have seen that same clinic within the past six months. But at night (after 6pm on weekdays, after 1pm on Saturdays) and on public holidays, this rule is lifted entirely — anyone, of any age, can get first-visit telemedicine.
Chuseok 2026 falls on official public holidays from September 24 (Thu) to 26 (Sat), stretching into Sunday the 27th for most people. The 24th-26th are covered by the holiday-consultation rule, and since most clinics are closed on Sunday the 27th anyway, you can use the same approach that day.
During Chuseok, telemedicine is available regardless of prior visit history. The doctor may still refer you to an in-person clinic if a physical exam is needed.
Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare, “Telemedicine Pilot Program Guidelines” (revised, effective Oct 27, 2025)
How Do I Get My Prescription After a Telemedicine Visit?
Your prescription is sent automatically to a pharmacy you choose in the app, and you generally need to pick it up there in person.
Prescription transfer is the process where the clinic electronically sends your prescription details directly to the pharmacy you selected. To prevent forgery, patients cannot download or print the prescription themselves — the app only lets you designate a pharmacy, and the clinic sends it there directly.
Fewer pharmacies stay open during the holiday, so check which ones are operating inside the app before your consultation.
Home delivery of medication (by courier or quick-delivery service) is not available to everyone. It’s limited to residents of islands or remote areas, registered persons with disabilities, patients with limited mobility, and confirmed infectious-disease or rare-disease patients. Most people still need to pick up their medication at the pharmacy.
Source: Doctor Now (닥터나우) magazine, “A Complete Guide to Telemedicine, Coverage, and Medication Delivery”
Which Telemedicine Apps Should I Use Over Chuseok?
Any app registered under the government’s telemedicine pilot program works. Two well-known ones are Doctor Now (닥터나우) and My Doctor (나만의닥터).
A telemedicine app is a platform that connects patients with doctors by video or phone call and forwards prescriptions to a pharmacy. Features vary slightly between apps, as shown below.
| App | Key Features | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Now (닥터나우) | Video/phone consult, auto prescription transfer, map search for pharmacy stock | Registered under the government pilot program |
| My Doctor (나만의닥터) | Video/phone consult, prescription transfer, quick-delivery for eligible patients only | Registered under the government pilot program |
– Have your national health insurance ID verification ready
– Note your symptoms and any medications you’re taking
– Confirm which pharmacy you’ll send the prescription to
– Register a payment method in the app
Source: Doctor Now and My Doctor official pages
How Do I Find Hospitals and Pharmacies Open During the Holiday?
Check the emergency medical portal e-gen (website or app) or call 129, 119, or 120 for real-time information.
E-gen is the official emergency medical information portal operated by Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare. Here’s how to use it:
1. Online: visit e-gen.or.kr and search by your current location
2. Phone: call the Health and Welfare Call Center at 129
3. Emergency: call 119 for the Emergency Management Center
4. Regional info: call your city/provincial call center at 120
5. Map apps: Naver Map and Kakao Map also show holiday-open clinics
Emergency symptoms like chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, or loss of consciousness cannot be handled by telemedicine. Call 119 immediately.
For more on navigating hospitals in Korea, see our Hospital Guide for Korea category. (Internal link: recommended to replace once a dedicated article is published.)
Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare, Emergency Medical Portal e-gen
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I get a prescription through telemedicine even as a first-time patient during Chuseok?
Yes. Holiday rules apply, so you can get a first-visit telemedicine consultation and prescription even at a clinic you’ve never used before. The doctor may still send you to an in-person clinic if needed.
2. Can I get my medication delivered to my home?
Generally, no. Delivery is limited to residents of islands or remote areas, registered persons with disabilities, patients with limited mobility, and confirmed infectious-disease or rare-disease patients. Most people must pick up medication at the pharmacy in person.
3. How much does telemedicine cost?
The co-payment is usually similar to an in-person visit under Korea’s National Health Insurance (a public insurance system most residents, including many foreign residents with an ARC, are enrolled in), plus a telemedicine consultation fee. Exact costs vary by clinic and time of day, so check the payment screen in the app.
4. What if my symptoms get worse during the consultation?
If you have emergency symptoms like chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, or loss of consciousness, don’t wait for telemedicine — call 119 right away.
References
(Ministry of Health and Welfare), “Revised Telemedicine Pilot Program Guidelines,” 2025. Link
(Ministry of Health and Welfare), “Find Open Clinics and Pharmacies During Chuseok via E-Gen,” press release. Link
(Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service), “Telemedicine Pilot Program Guidelines,” Notice No. 2025-736. Link
(Emergency Medical Portal e-gen), www.e-gen.or.kr. Link
(Doctor Now), “A Complete Guide to Telemedicine, Coverage, and Medication Delivery.” Link
(Mayo Clinic), “Telehealth: Technology meets health care.” Link
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider if you have health concerns.
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