Does a clinic website need prior medical advertising review?

Short answer: a clinic website does not automatically require prior review

In South Korea, descriptions of care and clinicians on a clinic website can still be medical advertising. They must follow the rules on false or exaggerated claims, misleading treatment testimonials, omitted material side effects, and other prohibited content. Prior review, however, applies to the media specified in Article 57 of the Medical Service Act and Article 24 of its Enforcement Decree. A page does not automatically need prior review simply because it is on a clinic's own website.

What if you publish the same message elsewhere?

Suppose you reuse a service description from your website in an online newspaper ad or a large platform's paid ad product. Even with identical wording, the publication medium has changed. Check prior review requirements again. The rules for internet media consider the type of medium and an audience threshold. Before placing a platform ad, ask the media provider and the relevant advertising review body whether those criteria apply.

A clinician writing or approving the copy does not exempt it from advertising rules or any applicable prior review. If an ad has been reviewed, check material changes against the approved version before publishing them.

What should you prepare before publication?

Record the destination URL or media outlet, whether placement is paid, and who can see it. Then have the clinic verify the basis for statements about services, qualifications, prices, and outcomes.

• Keep website copy and external ad drafts separately, with each publication location noted.
• Revise promises of results, comparisons with other providers, and descriptions that omit material risks.
• For an uncertain external placement, contact the relevant review body before the ad runs.

Who checks the final version?

A website studio can organize pages and wording, but the clinic must verify its actual services and qualifications. Ask the director or relevant clinician to check clinical descriptions and have the operations lead record where each item will appear and whether review applies. This is a publication checklist, not a legal ruling on a particular ad.