Emergency Numbers and Medical Help in Korea for Foreigners (119, 112, 1330 and More)
Short answer: Call 119 for an ambulance, fire or a medical emergency, and 112 for the police. If you do not speak Korean, say “English please” or “Interpreter please” when the call connects, and the operator will bring in an interpreter. For non-urgent help, such as transport questions or interpretation, the Korea Tourism Organization’s 1330 Korea Travel Helpline is the number designed for visitors.
This guide lists only numbers that appear on official pages (VisitKorea, the Korea Immigration Service, Seoul city and the National Emergency Medical Center). Hours and languages can change, so confirm before you depend on one.
Emergency and helpline numbers
| Number | What it is | What the official page says |
|---|---|---|
| 119 | Fire, ambulance, medical emergencies | VisitKorea lists 119 for fire and medical emergencies |
| 112 | Police | VisitKorea lists 112 for police |
| 1330 | Korea Travel Helpline (Korea Tourism Organization) | Travel help, transport questions and interpretation; languages listed on VisitKorea include Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai and Malay |
| 1339 | Infectious disease line | VisitKorea’s Emergency Situations page lists it for infectious disease emergencies; a VisitKorea FAQ describes it more broadly as a medical line, so use 119 for a real emergency |
| 1345 | Immigration Contact Center | Counseling on immigration and daily life; see below |
| 02-120 | 120 Dasan Call Center (Seoul) | City information and interpretation, Seoul only; see below |
From abroad, VisitKorea gives the 1330 number as +82-2-1330. It also has a free online call button (free on Wi-Fi, data charges may apply) and a chat option that needs no app download.
What to say when you call 119 or 112
VisitKorea’s safety page says that if you cannot speak Korean, say “English please” or “Interpreter please” once the call connects. The operator will connect you to a professional interpreter. It also suggests using nearby buildings or your phone’s GPS to work out where you are, so responders can reach you faster.
The same page mentions two apps: the Baro Emergency Reporting App (from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety), which supports English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Filipino with text and image reporting, and the Emergency Ready App, which offers guidelines in 14 languages and connects to 119. Check the app stores for the current versions before relying on them.
The National Emergency Medical Center (NEMC) explains that dialing 119 reaches paramedics and 112 reaches the police. After a call, dispatchers send paramedics, help find a hospital and give guidance until responders arrive. Seoul city’s page adds that 119 can provide hospital information, illness consultation, first-aid guidance and interpretation in English, Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and Vietnamese, and says ambulance service is free. Treat the cost point carefully: it is a city page, and the hospital bill is a separate matter.
1330 Korea Travel Helpline
According to VisitKorea, 1330 is run by the Korea Tourism Organization and is meant for non-life-threatening needs such as transport questions and interpretation help. It serves both local and international travelers. Seoul city’s medical page lists it as available 24 hours a day. The VisitKorea pages checked do not state hours, so confirm on the VisitKorea site if timing matters.
Finding a hospital in English
VisitKorea says many large hospitals have an International Health Care Center for international visitors. These centers have fixed office hours and are closed on weekends and public holidays. Examples from VisitKorea’s list (page updated September 11, 2026), with the inquiry number and weekday hours:
| Hospital | Inquiry number | Hours (Mon to Fri) |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul Asan Medical Center | +82-2-3010-5001 | 08:30 to 17:30 |
| Severance Hospital | +82-2-2228-5800 | 08:30 to 17:30 |
| Samsung Medical Center | +82-2-3410-0200 | 08:00 to 17:00 |
| Seoul National University Hospital | +82-2-2072-0505 | 09:00 to 17:30 |
| Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital | +82-2-2258-5745 | 08:30 to 17:00 |
| Kyungpook National University Hospital (Daegu) | +82-53-200-6114 | 08:30 to 17:30 |
| Inje University Paik Hospital (Busan) | +82-51-797-0566 | 08:30 to 17:00 |
The VisitKorea list includes more hospitals in Seoul, Incheon, Suwon and Iksan, and shows which languages each line supports. Seoul Global Center’s Medical Referral Service, described on Seoul city’s page as a 24-hour service with English-speaking staff, recommends facilities that serve foreigners. Seoul city lists its contact as [email protected].
If you need a hospital outside office hours, call 119 and ask for hospital information. Seoul city’s page says 119 can provide it.
Pharmacies and emergency rooms
VisitKorea’s Emergency Situations page contains no pharmacy information, and Seoul city’s medical page does not list pharmacies either. The National Emergency Medical Center runs the E-GEN website (e-gen.or.kr) with hospital and pharmacy finders, but the finder pages seen were in Korean, so this guide cannot confirm an English version. A translation tool or a call to 119 is the practical route. Seoul city’s page also notes that 119 can help with information, and the NEMC says emergency rooms must provide round-the-clock treatment and triage.
Other helplines
- 1345 Immigration Contact Center: The Korea Immigration Service says counseling runs 09:00 to 22:00 on weekdays, and after 18:00 the service is in Korean, English and Chinese. Dial 1345 in Korea, then press your language number and the * key. From abroad: +82-2-1345. This covers immigration and daily-life questions, not medical emergencies.
- 120 Dasan Call Center (Seoul): According to a July 2023 Seoul announcement, the foreign-language service covers English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Mongolian on weekdays from 09:00 to 18:00, excluding public holidays. Dial 02-120. That information is more than three years old, so verify it.
- Danuri Call Center (1577-1366): The same Seoul announcement lists it as a 24-hour, 365-day line for living information and crisis counseling, mainly for multicultural families and migrant women.
- 1588-5644 interpretation service: Seoul city’s page lists volunteer interpreters in 17 languages in real time.
Quick checklist
- Save 119, 112 and 1330 in your phone.
- Know your exact address or the nearest landmark.
- Say “English please” when the call connects.
- Carry your passport or ARC and your insurance details.
- Note an International Health Care Center near you, and its weekday hours.
Common mistakes
- Calling 1330 for a life-threatening emergency instead of 119.
- Showing up at an International Health Care Center on a weekend or public holiday.
- Relying on a single source for hours or languages without checking the official page.
- Assuming a pharmacy is open late; E-GEN’s finder is the place to check, but it may be Korean-only.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. In an emergency call 119 immediately, and confirm numbers, hours and services with the official provider.
Sources
- VisitKorea (Korea Tourism Organization): Emergency Situations
- VisitKorea: Disaster Safety Services for International Visitors in Korea
- VisitKorea FAQ: Who can I call in an emergency situation while in Korea?
- Korea Immigration Service: Immigration Contact Center (1345)
- Seoul Metropolitan Government: 120 Dasan Call Center foreign-language consultation
- Seoul (World Seoul): Medical Facilities
- National Emergency Medical Center (E-GEN): Emergency medical services system
Related guides
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- Best Time to Visit Korea: Weather and Seasons Month by Month (2026)
- Paying in Korea as a Visitor: Foreign Cards, Cash, ATMs and Currency Exchange (2026)
- How to Get a SIM Card or eSIM in Korea (2026 Guide for Tourists and Residents)