Spine fellowships in South Korea

Funding: Fee-paying: observership USD 2,000/month or hands-on practice USD 3,000/month plus SIF-PC tuition and admin fees; discounts or waivers may apply.

Exposure: Spinal neurosurgery at the Gangnam campus, listed as a separate neurosurgery track within the Severance International Fellowship.

Eligibility: International physicians may apply, subject to departmental availability. For hands-on practice, full SIF-Prime Course participation is required when applying for Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare permission; enrolment alone is not permission to treat patients.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Deadline · Positions · Training level · Examinations · Language · Benefits · Insurance · Accommodation · Application route · Programme director · Accreditation

Source: Official Yonsei Institute for Global Health physician fellowship page. Reviewed 17 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: AO Spine pays a small stipend towards accommodation and living costs (benchmark USD 550 per week in the United States, adjusted for local price levels); travel and insurance are paid by the fellow.

Exposure: Department of Neurosurgery – Spine Division: about 4798 surgical cases per year and 150 beds; techniques include standard open, endoscopic, minimally invasive, anterior, navigated, intradural, pain-management, tuberculosis surgery.

Eligibility: International programme open to AO Spine members worldwide with at least two years' membership; AO allocates host centres and applicants should not contact host centres until AO confirms the placement.

Still to confirm: Current status · Positions · International eligibility · Medical registration · Examinations · Visa / work authorisation · Benefits · Fees

Source: Official AO Spine host-centre profile. Reviewed 8 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: AO Spine pays a small stipend towards accommodation and living costs (benchmark USD 550 per week in the United States, adjusted for local price levels); travel and insurance are paid by the fellow.

Exposure: Neurosurgery: about 1200 surgical cases per year and 59 beds; techniques include standard open, endoscopic, minimally invasive, anterior, navigated, intradural, pain-management surgery. Other activities: Professor Jin Sung Kim is proficient in a range of advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques, including: - Full-Endoscopic Spine Surgery - Bi-portal Endoscopic Spine Surgery - Endoscopic Lumbar Fusion - Microscopic Tubular Decompression - Minimally Invasive Retropleural Thoracic Approach.

Eligibility: This host participates in AO Spine's global short-term international scheme for spine physicians or specialists in orthopaedics, neurosurgery or trauma surgery. Applicants must be 45 or younger, have at least two years of AO Spine membership and prior participation in an AO course/event, and have had no spine fellowship in the preceding two years except self-funded training. Selection does not grant medical registration, visa approval or permission to scrub in; host requirements apply separately.

Still to confirm: Current status · Positions · Examinations · Benefits · Fees

Source: Official AO Spine host-centre profile. Reviewed 8 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: Training centres may set a recommended participation fee and KOMISS charges a separate administrative fee; KOMISS may provide financial or other support for programme operation.

Exposure: Spine Center: observation of and participation in endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery, with opportunities for academic research.

Eligibility: Proficiently trained neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons seeking to enhance spine surgical (particularly endoscopic) techniques; selection considers experience and education in endoscopic spine surgery.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Deadline · Positions · International eligibility · Medical registration · Examinations · Language · Visa / work authorisation · Insurance · Accommodation · Application documents

Source: Official KOMISS fellowship host-centre list. Reviewed 9 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: Training centres may set a recommended participation fee and KOMISS charges a separate administrative fee; KOMISS may provide financial or other support for programme operation.

Exposure: Spine Center: observation of and participation in endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery, with opportunities for academic research. Daegu Catholic University Hospital is a second KOMISS host centre in the city.

Eligibility: Proficiently trained neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons seeking to enhance spine surgical (particularly endoscopic) techniques; selection considers experience and education in endoscopic spine surgery.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Deadline · Positions · International eligibility · Medical registration · Examinations · Language · Visa / work authorisation · Insurance · Accommodation · Application documents · Programme director

Source: Official KOMISS fellowship host-centre list. Reviewed 9 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: Training centres may set a recommended participation fee and KOMISS charges a separate administrative fee; KOMISS may provide financial or other support for programme operation.

Exposure: Spine Center: observation of and participation in endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery, with opportunities for academic research.

Eligibility: Proficiently trained neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons seeking to enhance spine surgical (particularly endoscopic) techniques; selection considers experience and education in endoscopic spine surgery.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Deadline · Positions · International eligibility · Medical registration · Examinations · Language · Visa / work authorisation · Insurance · Accommodation · Application documents

Source: Official KOMISS fellowship host-centre list. Reviewed 9 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: Training centres may set a recommended participation fee and KOMISS charges a separate administrative fee; KOMISS may provide financial or other support for programme operation.

Exposure: Spine Center: observation of and participation in endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery, with opportunities for academic research.

Eligibility: Proficiently trained neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons seeking to enhance spine surgical (particularly endoscopic) techniques; selection considers experience and education in endoscopic spine surgery.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Deadline · Positions · International eligibility · Medical registration · Examinations · Language · Visa / work authorisation · Insurance · Accommodation · Application documents · Programme director

Source: Official KOMISS fellowship host-centre list. Reviewed 9 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: Training centres may set a recommended participation fee and KOMISS charges a separate administrative fee; KOMISS may provide financial or other support for programme operation.

Exposure: Spine Center: observation of and participation in endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery, with opportunities for academic research.

Eligibility: Proficiently trained neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons seeking to enhance spine surgical (particularly endoscopic) techniques; selection considers experience and education in endoscopic spine surgery.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Deadline · Positions · International eligibility · Medical registration · Examinations · Language · Visa / work authorisation · Insurance · Accommodation · Application documents

Source: Official KOMISS fellowship host-centre list. Reviewed 9 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: Training centres may set a recommended participation fee and KOMISS charges a separate administrative fee; KOMISS may provide financial or other support for programme operation.

Exposure: Spine Center: observation of and participation in endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery, with opportunities for academic research.

Eligibility: Proficiently trained neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons seeking to enhance spine surgical (particularly endoscopic) techniques; selection considers experience and education in endoscopic spine surgery.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Deadline · Positions · International eligibility · Medical registration · Examinations · Language · Visa / work authorisation · Insurance · Accommodation · Application documents

Source: Official KOMISS fellowship host-centre list. Reviewed 9 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: Training centres may set a recommended participation fee and KOMISS charges a separate administrative fee; KOMISS may provide financial or other support for programme operation.

Exposure: Spine Center: observation of and participation in endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgery, with opportunities for academic research. Pohang Hospital is a second KOMISS host centre in the city.

Eligibility: Proficiently trained neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons seeking to enhance spine surgical (particularly endoscopic) techniques; selection considers experience and education in endoscopic spine surgery.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Deadline · Positions · International eligibility · Medical registration · Examinations · Language · Visa / work authorisation · Insurance · Accommodation · Application documents

Source: Official KOMISS fellowship host-centre list. Reviewed 9 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: AO Spine provides a small stipend towards accommodation and living costs; travel and insurance must be fully covered by the fellow.

Exposure: The host-centre page lists 40 beds and about 400 surgical cases per year, with open, endoscopic, minimally invasive, anterior and navigated techniques and tuberculosis surgery. Weekly spine tumour board, multidepartmental spine case conference and orthopaedic spine conference are listed. Fellows follow the hospital's educational observership rules. Operating-room language is Korean; English proficiency is rated 4 out of 5.

Eligibility: This host participates in AO Spine's global short-term international scheme for spine physicians or specialists in orthopaedics, neurosurgery or trauma surgery. Applicants must be 45 or younger, have at least two years of AO Spine membership and prior participation in an AO course/event, and have had no spine fellowship in the preceding two years except self-funded training. Selection does not grant medical registration, visa approval or permission to scrub in; host requirements apply separately.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Deadline · Positions · Training level · Examinations · Language · Benefits · Fees · Insurance · Accommodation · Application documents · Official contact · Accreditation

Source: Official AO Fellows host-centre page (eligibility and terms from the AO Spine fellowship page). Reviewed 15 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: AO Spine provides a small stipend towards accommodation and living costs; travel and insurance must be fully covered by the fellow.

Exposure: The host-centre page lists 100 beds and about 600 surgical cases per year with open, endoscopic, minimally invasive, anterior and navigated techniques, pain management and tuberculosis surgery. Journal conferences and spine case meetings are listed. Scrubbing in requires the medical licence of the fellow's own nation. Operating-room language is Korean; English proficiency is rated 4 out of 5.

Eligibility: This host participates in AO Spine's global short-term international scheme for spine physicians or specialists in orthopaedics, neurosurgery or trauma surgery. Applicants must be 45 or younger, have at least two years of AO Spine membership and prior participation in an AO course/event, and have had no spine fellowship in the preceding two years except self-funded training. Selection does not grant medical registration, visa approval or permission to scrub in; host requirements apply separately.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Positions · Training level · Medical registration · Examinations · Visa / work authorisation · Benefits · Fees · Official contact · Accreditation

Source: Official AO Fellows host-centre page (eligibility and terms from the AO Spine fellowship page). Reviewed 15 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: AO Spine provides a small stipend towards accommodation and living costs; travel and insurance must be fully covered by the fellow.

Exposure: The host-centre page lists 130 beds and about 433 surgical cases per year, with open, minimally invasive, anterior and intradural techniques, pain management and tuberculosis surgery; endoscopy, robotics and navigation are marked not used. Basic information, a resume and a COVID-19 vaccination certificate are requested. Operating-room language is Korean.

Eligibility: This host participates in AO Spine's global short-term international scheme for spine physicians or specialists in orthopaedics, neurosurgery or trauma surgery. Applicants must be 45 or younger, have at least two years of AO Spine membership and prior participation in an AO course/event, and have had no spine fellowship in the preceding two years except self-funded training. Selection does not grant medical registration, visa approval or permission to scrub in; host requirements apply separately.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Deadline · Positions · Training level · Examinations · Language · Visa / work authorisation · Benefits · Fees · Insurance · Accommodation · Application documents · Accreditation

Source: Official AO Fellows host-centre page (eligibility and terms from the AO Spine fellowship page). Reviewed 17 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.

Funding: AO Spine provides a small stipend towards accommodation and living costs; travel and insurance must be fully covered by the fellow.

Exposure: The host-centre page lists 800 beds and about 1,500 surgical cases per year, with open, endoscopic, minimally invasive, anterior, navigated and intradural techniques, pain management and tuberculosis surgery. Fellows take part in orthopaedic department conferences and Korean spine society meetings. Operating-room language is English.

Eligibility: This host participates in AO Spine's global short-term international scheme for spine physicians or specialists in orthopaedics, neurosurgery or trauma surgery. Applicants must be 45 or younger, have at least two years of AO Spine membership and prior participation in an AO course/event, and have had no spine fellowship in the preceding two years except self-funded training. Selection does not grant medical registration, visa approval or permission to scrub in; host requirements apply separately.

Still to confirm: Current status · Commencement · Deadline · Positions · Training level · Examinations · Visa / work authorisation · Benefits · Fees · Insurance · Accommodation · Application documents · Official contact · Accreditation

Source: Official AO Fellows host-centre page (eligibility and terms from the AO Spine fellowship page). Reviewed 15 Oct 2026. Status reflects the last review, not a live vacancy check. Completeness is not a quality rating.