Discover Korea Like Never Before
Planning a trip to Korea?
Beautiful destinations, delicious food, and warm-hearted people await you — but knowing the right emergency numbers in Korea is just as important as packing your suitcase.
Unexpected incidents or accidents can happen at any time during your travels.
And in a foreign country, these situations can feel even more overwhelming.
While Korea is considered a relatively safe destination, it’s still essential to prepare for potential emergencies.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the emergency contact numbers and crisis management tips you need to know before or during your stay in Korea.
Remember this guide — it could make your trip significantly safer and more comfortable.
🚨 Essential Emergency Numbers in Korea
Basic Emergency Numbers
112 – Police Report
- Crime reports, lost item reports, traffic accidents, etc.
- 24-hour operation
- Multilingual support available
119 – Fire Department/Emergency Medical Services
- Fire, emergency patients, rescue requests
- 24-hour operation
- Emergency medical assistance
- Multilingual support available
Foreigners’ Emergency Numbers in Korea
1330 – Tourism Translation Service
- Operated by Korea Tourism Organization
- 24-hour multilingual consultation (English, Chinese, Japanese, etc.)
- From tourist information to emergency situation interpretation
- Dial 1330 domestically, +82-2-1330 from overseas
1345 – Foreigner Comprehensive Information Center
- Operated by Ministry of Justice
- Stay, visa, and various civil service consultations
- Operating hours: weekdays 09:00~18:00
1339 – Medical Translation Service
- Foreign language interpretation for emergency medical situations
- 24-hour operation
- Multilingual support
Quick Reference Contact Summary
| Number | Situation |
| 112 | Police (crime, accidents) |
| 119 | Fire/Emergency (fire, emergency situations) |
| 1330 | Tourism translation service |
| 1345 | Foreigner comprehensive information center |
| 1339 | Medical translation service |
Additionally, it’s good to check the information of your country’s embassy in Korea before traveling.
🏥 Handling Medical Emergencies in Korea
How to Use Emergency Rooms
Korea’s emergency rooms operate 24 hours, and emergency patients can receive immediate treatment regardless of nationality. Call 119 or visit nearby hospitals for medical care.
Major Hospital Emergency Rooms
- Samsung Seoul Hospital: 02-3410-0129
- Seoul Asan Medical Center: 02-3010-3333
- Yonsei Severance Hospital: 02-2227-7777
- Seoul National University Hospital: 02-2072-1182
What to Prepare When Using Emergency Rooms
- Passport or identification
- Overseas travel insurance certificate
- Cash or credit card (prepayment required before insurance processing)
How to Use Pharmacies
Over-the-counter medications are available at pharmacies, and you can purchase basic cold medicine, fever reducers, and pain relievers without a prescription.
Many pharmacists can provide simple guidance in English, so try explaining your symptoms.
👮♂️ Lost Items & Theft Response Guide in Korea
When Your Passport is Lost
- Immediately report to 112 and get a loss report
- Contact your country’s consulate/embassy
- Apply for a travel certificate or temporary passport
When Your Wallet/Bag is Lost
- Report to 112 and file a loss report
- Contact card companies to stop your cards
- Contact banks to freeze your accounts
When Your Credit Card is Lost
- Immediately contact your card company to stop the card.
- If the card was stolen, report to police (112) – The theft report will be useful evidence for future insurance claims or disputes with card companies.
- Apply for an emergency replacement card – Major card companies like Visa and MasterCard provide emergency replacement card services, so contact the nearest branch to inquire about necessary procedures.
🚇 How to Handle Public Transportation Emergencies in Korea
Subway Lost and Found Centers
| Line | Lost & Found Center | Location | Phone Number |
| Lines 1,2 | Seoul City Hall Lost & Found | City Hall Station | 02-6110-1122 |
| Lines 3,4 | Chungmuro Lost & Found | Chungmuro Station | 02-6110-3344 |
| Lines 5,8 | Wangsimni Lost & Found | Wangsimni Station | 02-6311-6765,8 |
| Lines 6,7 | Taereung Lost & Found | Taereung Entrance Station | 02-6311-6766,7 |
| Line 9 (Eonju~Central Veterans Hospital) | Sports Complex Lost & Found | Line 9 Sports Complex Station | 02-2656-0930 |
| Line 9 (Gaehwa~Sinnonhyeon) | Dongjak Lost & Found | Line 9 Dongjak Station | 02-2656-0009 |
Taxi Lost Items
Check the taxi number on your taxi receipt and contact the relevant taxi company or call 1330 tourism translation service.
💰 Managing Financial Emergencies in Korea
Emergency Money Transfer Services
Western Union
- Available for pickup at banks and convenience stores nationwide
- Services provided at Shinhan Bank, Woori Bank, etc.
How to Get Cash
You can withdraw cash from ATMs using international cash cards or credit cards. Most convenience stores (7-Eleven, CU, GS25, etc.) and subway stations in Korea have 24-hour ATMs, making them easily accessible.
🏨 Solving Accommodation Issues in Korea
When Hotel/Accommodation Problems Occur
Prepare your reservation confirmation and contact 1330 tourism translation service for Korean interpretation support. If you made a reservation through an online booking platform, also try contacting that platform’s customer service.
Lost Items After Check-out
Immediately contact the hotel to request a lost item check, and if not found, proceed with a 112 report.
📲 Must-Have Emergency Apps for Travel Safety in Korea
Here are some apps that are good to install on your smartphone for emergency situations.
119 Report App
- Emergency requests possible through the app as well as phone calls
- Multilingual support including English
- Automatic location transmission feature
Emergency Ready App (Ministry of the Interior and Safety)
- Provides disaster and safety information in multiple languages
- Real-time disaster alerts
- Evacuation shelter location guidance
Recommended Translation Apps
- Google Translate: Real-time camera translation available
- Papago: Korean-specialized translation
For more on must-have apps, see our Top 5 Must-Have Apps for Traveling in Korea.
💡 Korea Travel Safety Checklist: What to Prepare
Essential Preparations
- Purchase overseas travel insurance and carry the certificate
- Keep a separate copy of your passport
- Note emergency contact numbers in both English and Korean
- Write down blood type, allergies, and medication information in English
- Save credit card customer service numbers
Recommended Preparations
- Save 1330 tourism translation service number on your phone
- Install translation apps like Google/Papago
- Note accommodation address in both Korean and English
- Local contact information of acquaintances in Korea
Pre-Travel Confirmation Items
- Check your country’s consulate contact information
- Understand travel insurance coverage and contact numbers
- Activate international roaming services
- Prepare family/friend contact methods for emergency situations
Before you depart, don’t forget our Ultimate Korea Travel Checklist for First-Time Visitors to cover all the essentials.
Editor’s Note: Travel is more beautiful when it’s safe
Unexpected situations abroad can be stressful for anyone.
However, Korea offers excellent support systems for foreigners.
By knowing these emergency numbers and preparing necessary apps in advance, your trip will be safe and comfortable.
We hope you have a happy, safe journey in Korea!
Now that you’re prepared, it’s time to discover the hidden gems of Korea.
Once you’ve got everything ready, the next step is to dive into new experiences!
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