Asthma (천식) (cheon-shik) is alive and well in Korea, but no more as prevalent as any where else. Some asthmatics have had increased symptoms during the seasonal yellow dust storms.

If you are an asthmatic and are planning on coming to Korea, a few points to consider:

1. Buy your asthma medication after arriving in Korea. It's abundant and much more cheaper than in the West. For example, you can buy 2 month supplies of Ventolin(살부타몰), Seretide(세레타이드), and Prednisone(프레드니손) tabs for a total of about 30,000 won. Go any local 내과 clinic to get you the prescription or ask your employer or a Korean friend to take you there.

2. You can buy air filters in any Emart or Homeplus near you. Or you can go to electronic markets like Yongsan Electronics Market or Technomart.