서강대학교

초록/요약

The medical tourism industry has been growing rapidly as governments seek new sectors for sustainable growth. The increase in medical tourism and cooperation in the health and medical sector may be a path for relationships improvement between countries. As a result of globalization international tourism has been growing worldwide at a speed faster than any time in the past. The growth of international tourism is being regarded as having contribution to the development of economy, social cooperation, politics, and cultural relations. This thesis suggests that developing medical tourism may act as a basis for increasing tourism in general, enhancing cultural exchange, thus improving the relationship of the ROK and the UAE. Since 2009, the ROK has acknowledged the UAE as its only strategic partner in the region and has strengthened not only economic exchange but also political and cultural exchange. But for a more effective means of strengthening the relationship, the ROK has tried to establish a new cooperative relationship in the health and medical field. This thesis focuses on the functions of medical tourism in the past and its potential in the future that may play important role in the international relations between the ROK and the UAE. This thesis argues that developing medical tourism and attracting UAE patients played a role in improving ROK’s relationship with the UAE. It had influence on the government policies of cooperation with the UAE in the field of health and medical service.