TL;DR: STD panel testing in Busan: USD $95–$140 all-in. Same-day English written report. Walk-in, no appointment needed at most clinics. PIPA private. Available at Seomyeon urology clinics.
What's Included in a Full STD Panel
Standard panel: HIV (4th gen Ag/Ab combo), syphilis (RPR + TPHA), chlamydia (NAAT), gonorrhoea (NAAT), hepatitis B (HBsAg), hepatitis C (HCV Ab), herpes (HSV IgG type 1+2). Extended panel also includes HPV genotyping and Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma.
All tests use the same WHO-approved assays as western laboratories. Results are available same-day (4–6 hours) in written English format.
Privacy
Korean Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) prohibits disclosure of medical records without patient consent. Test results are issued to the patient in hard copy and/or encrypted email. The clinic does not contact any Korean authority for non-criminal STD results.
Cost Comparison — Korea vs USA
| Procedure | Busan, Korea (USD) | USA Private | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard STD Panel (6 tests) | $95–$120 | $300–$600 | ~67% |
| Extended Panel (8+ tests) | $120–$140 | $400–$800 | ~68% |