Living in Korea? Save these emergency numbers before you need them.
This guide to emergency numbers in Korea covers the most important contacts for police, ambulance services, immigration help, and travel assistance.
Moving to a new country comes with plenty of excitement β but it also means learning what to do when something unexpected happens.
Whether you’re living in Korea long-term or just visiting, knowing the right emergency phone numbers can save valuable time when it matters most.
If you live in Korea, save these six numbers now. They cover police, fire and medical emergencies, immigration questions, travel assistance, and everyday city services.
Table of Contents
112 β Police π
Call 112 if you need the police for situations such as:
- Theft
- Assault
- Traffic accidents
- Missing persons
- Suspicious activity
- Domestic violence
- Any crime or immediate danger
If the operator doesn’t speak English right away, don’t hang up.
Simply say:
“English, please.”
Most emergency call centers can quickly connect you with an interpreter.
Tip: If you’re not comfortable speaking on the phone, download the 112 app (112μ κ³ App) from your app store. It lets you report incidents by text, photo, video, or a quick 10-second audio recording β your location and basic info are sent to police automatically, no phone call needed.
119 β Fire & Ambulance ππ₯
Call 119 for:
- Fires
- Serious injuries
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Traffic accidents
- Someone collapsing
- Any life-threatening medical emergency
English interpretation is available, and operators can assist callers in multiple languages.
If you’re unsure whether the situation is serious enough, it’s always better to call than to wait.
1345 β Immigration Contact Center π
For visa and immigration questions, call 1345.
They can help with:
- Visa applications
- Visa extensions
- Alien Registration Card (ARC) questions
- Residence status
- Immigration procedures
- General foreign resident support
Because this is Korea’s official immigration hotline, multilingual assistance is available.
It’s always better to ask questions early before a small paperwork issue becomes a much bigger problem.
1339 β Disease & Health Information Line π₯
A quick correction here, since this number is often misunderstood: 1339 is not a hospital-finder or ambulance line. Korea’s original 1339 emergency-medical hotline was folded into 119 back in 2013. The number was later revived by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) as a line for infectious disease and public health information β outbreaks, travel health advisories, and general disease questions.
For non-life-threatening medical guidance or public health information, 1339 may be able to help.
In an actual emergency, always call 119 first.
1330 β Korea Travel Hotline πΊοΈ
Even if you aren’t a tourist anymore, 1330 is a surprisingly useful number.
They provide help with:
- Directions
- Tourist attractions
- Public transportation
- Translation assistance
- Local travel information
Support is available in several languages, including English.
120 β Dasan Call Center βοΈ
If you live in Seoul, call 120 for general city services such as:
- Garbage collection schedules
- Public transportation information
- Local government services
- Utility questions
- General city information
If you’re in Gyeonggi-do β Yongin, Suwon, Dongtan, and nearby areas β dial 031-120 instead. It connects you to the regional Gyeonggi-do call center for the same kind of general inquiries.
English support is available on both lines.
At a Glance
| Number | Service | English Support |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Police | β Yes |
| 119 | Fire & Ambulance | β Yes |
| 1345 | Immigration | β Yes |
| 1339 | Disease/Health Info (KDCA) | β οΈ Limited |
| 1330 | Korea Travel Hotline | β Yes |
| 120 / 031-120 | City Info (Seoul / Gyeonggi-do) | β Yes |
Useful Korean Emergency Phrases
You don’t need to speak fluent Korean to get help. These simple phrases can make communication much easier during an emergency.
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | λμμ£ΌμΈμ | Dowajuseyo |
| I need an ambulance. | ꡬκΈμ°¨κ° νμν΄μ. | Gugeupcha-ga piryohaeyo |
| I need the police. | κ²½μ°°μ΄ νμν΄μ. | Gyeongchari piryohaeyo |
| There is a fire. | λΆμ΄ λ¬μ΄μ. | Buri nasseoyo |
| Someone is injured. | λ€μ³€μ΄μ. | Dachyeosseoyo |
| I don’t speak Korean. | νκ΅λ§μ λͺ»ν΄μ. | Hangungmareul mothaeyo |
| Please speak English. | μμ΄λ‘ λΆνν©λλ€. | Yeongeoro butakhamnida |
Saving a screenshot of these phrases on your phone can be surprisingly helpful.
Practical Tips
β Save 112, 119, and 1345 in your phone now.
β Keep your home address written in Korean in your Notes app.
β If possible, share your live location using KakaoMap or Google Maps when calling for help.
β If you don’t know your exact address, tell the operator the nearest subway station, apartment complex, convenience store, or major landmark.
The faster emergency responders know where you are, the faster they can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners call 112? Yes. 112 is open to anyone in Korea, regardless of nationality or visa status. English-speaking support is available.
Is 119 free? Yes, calling 119 is free from any phone, including mobile phones without an active plan.
Do Korean emergency operators speak English? Not always directly, but both 112 and 119 can connect you to an interpreter, usually within a short wait. Saying “English, please” as soon as the call connects speeds this up.
Can tourists use 1345? Yes. 1345 is meant for anyone dealing with visa or immigration matters in Korea, whether you’re a long-term resident or a short-term visitor with a visa question.
Can I call 112 or 119 without a Korean SIM card? Yes. Most phones can dial emergency services as long as they can connect to any available mobile network, even without an active Korean SIM. If your phone can pick up any signal, 112 and 119 should still go through.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you’ll never need to call any of these numbers.
But emergencies rarely happen at convenient times, and searching online while you’re under stress isn’t something anyone wants to do.
Taking just a few minutes today to save these numbers could make a huge difference someday.
Official Sources
- Korean National Police Agency β emergency reporting information
- National Fire Agency β public emergency medical services
- Hi Korea β Immigration Contact Center 1345
- Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency β 1339 Call Center
- Korea Tourism Organization β 1330 Travel Helpline
- Seoul Metropolitan Government β 120 Dasan Call Center information
Official services and operating hours can change. Check the linked agency pages for the latest details. This article was reviewed on July 24, 2026.
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