Under 의료법 시행규칙 제15조 a clinic keeps the 진료기록부 and surgical records 10 years, the 환자 명부, test, radiology and nursing records 5 years, copies of certificates 3 years and prescriptions 2 years. The period may be extended once where continuing care needs it.
The periods, record by record
| Record | Keep for |
|---|---|
| 진료기록부 (medical record) | 10 years |
| 수술기록 (surgical record) | 10 years |
| 환자 명부 (patient register) | 5 years |
| 검사내용 및 검사소견기록 (tests) | 5 years |
| 방사선 사진 and reports | 5 years |
| 간호기록부 and 조산기록부 | 5 years |
| 진단서 등의 부본 (copies of certificates) | 3 years |
| 처방전 (prescriptions) | 2 years |
The duty falls on the doctor or the opener of the institution, and covers electronic records and the original of any entry that was later added to or amended.12 Records may also be kept on microfilm or optical disc, signed by the person responsible for the filming.1
What the record has to hold
의료법 제22조 asks every doctor to record the main symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in detail and sign it, and forbids false entries and deliberate amendments.2 시행규칙 제14조 lists the 진료기록부 contents, the patient's details, main symptoms, diagnosis, progress where it changes, treatment and the date and time of care.1 Under 의료법 제21조 a patient may see the whole record, original and amendments included, or receive a copy.2
- List every record type. 진료기록부, surgical, test, radiology, nursing, certificates and prescriptions.
- Set each period. From 시행규칙 제15조, with 10 years for the 진료기록부.
- Keep originals with amendments. The law counts both as part of the record to be kept.
- Decide the extension rule. One extension, within the same period, where continuing care needs it.
- Destroy when the period ends. PIPA asks for destruction once data is no longer needed, unless a law requires it kept.
- Record type ______ Period ______
- Where it is kept ______ Format ______
- Extended once, yes or no ______ Reason ______
- Destruction date ______ Method ______
- Owner ______ Last reviewed ______
Once a period ends, 개인정보 보호법 제21조 asks that the data is destroyed so it cannot be restored, and that data a law requires kept is stored apart from other personal information.3
Questions
Does the 10 year period apply to electronic records?
Yes. 의료법 제22조 제2항 includes 전자의무기록 and the original of any amended entry in the records to be kept.
Can a clinic keep records longer than the minimum?
시행규칙 제15조 allows one extension within the stated period where continuing care needs it. PIPA then asks that data no longer needed is destroyed.
Can a patient see the original of an amended entry?
Yes. 의료법 제21조 gives the patient the right to see or copy the record, including the original before any addition or amendment.
Sources
- 1국가법령정보센터, Ministry of Government Legislation, 2026의료법 시행규칙, 보건복지부령 제1177호, in force 12 June 2026Read source
- 2국가법령정보센터, Ministry of Government Legislation, 2026의료법, 법률 제21490호, in force 2 October 2026Read source
- 3국가법령정보센터, Ministry of Government Legislation, 2026개인정보 보호법, 법률 제21445호, in force 11 September 2026Read source
Written by the wai team from Korea Institute for Healthcare Accreditation (의료기관평가인증원) guidance, checked on 16 October 2026. This is guidance, not legal advice. Neither the Ministry of Health and Welfare nor KOIHA endorses wai or any software.