Emergency
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Emergency & help

Life in danger: 119 (fire, ambulance). Crime or danger: 112 (police). Both can bring an interpreter onto the line — ask for one.

Call first. Then find the right number, who can interpret, and what to do next — in one page.

What happened?

Show this in Korean

Hold your screen up to police, staff or passers-by: the Korean, how to say it, then what it means.

  • 도와주세요!

    Do-wa-ju-se-yo!

    Help me!

  • 경찰 불러 주세요.

    Gyeong-chal bul-leo ju-se-yo.

    Call the police.

  • 구급차 불러 주세요.

    Gu-geup-cha bul-leo ju-se-yo.

    Call an ambulance.

  • 여권을 잃어버렸어요.

    Yeo-gwo-neul i-reo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo.

    I lost my passport.

  • 지갑을 도둑맞았어요.

    Ji-ga-beul do-dung-ma-ja-sseo-yo.

    My wallet was stolen.

  • 대사관에 연락해 주세요.

    Dae-sa-gwa-ne yeol-la-kae ju-se-yo.

    Please contact my embassy.

  • 여기가 어디예요?

    Yeo-gi-ga eo-di-ye-yo?

    Where am I?

  • 저는 영어를 할 수 있어요.

    Jeo-neun yeong-eo-reul hal su i-sseo-yo.

    I speak English.

More phrasesAddress card

Which number for what

This list also shows who can interpret. All times are Korea time (KST).

  • 112

    Police

    24h. English and Chinese interpreters on the line around the clock; for other languages 1330 can interpret (07:00–midnight).

  • 119

    Fire & ambulance

    24h. Ask for an interpreter — one is added on a three-way call.

  • 1330

    Korea Travel Hotline (KTO)

    Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese 07:00–midnight KST every day; Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay/Indonesian 08:00–19:00. Travel info, interpretation and tourist complaints. After midnight: crime 112, medical or fire 119.

  • 1345

    Immigration contact centre

    Visas and stay rules, including what changes with a new passport. Weekdays 09:00–22:00 in 20 languages (after 18:00: Korean, English, Chinese).

  • 109

    Suicide prevention

    The single national crisis line since 1 Jan 2024. Korean-first; 1330 can interpret (07:00–midnight).

  • 1339

    KDCA infectious-disease call centre

    Not an emergency medical number — for that call 119. Free, 24h every day: health questions and infectious-disease reports. Foreign visitors are advised through a three-way call with 1330 or 1345.

  • 182

    Police civil-service line (lost property, paperwork)

    Paid call, weekdays 09:00–18:00 only (from abroad +82-182, same hours). For lost property and police paperwork, not an emergency line — in danger call 112.

  • 02-120

    Seoul city information (120 Dasan)

    City services, transport and complaints. Foreign languages: press 9, weekdays 09:00–18:00.

  • 1588-5644

    BBB Korea phone interpreting (volunteers)

    Volunteers interpret for free in 20 languages (24h per BBB; you pay only the call to 1588-5644). A private non-profit, not an official agency, and nobody comes to you. From abroad +82-2-818-1500, then the language extension.

In an emergency, dial 112 or 119 directly and ask for an interpreter. For anything less urgent, 1330 answers in English, Japanese and Chinese from 07:00 to midnight every day and can interpret a call for you.

My area

Pick the province or city you are in. You get its emergency rooms, the police and fire headquarters, and its official tourism site in one place.

Province or city

Official name: 서울특별시

Emergency rooms

Hospitals designated for the most serious emergencies come first. If a life may be at risk, call 119 first.

Police

In danger or after a crime, call 112. This is the official site of the regional police agency. Its pages are mainly in Korean.

We do not list single police stations, because no current official list could be confirmed. In danger, call 112.

Fire and rescue

For a fire or an ambulance, call 119. This is the official site of the fire headquarters. Its pages are mainly in Korean.

Tourism information

The official tourism site of this area. Language options differ from site to site. For help on the spot, the 1330 line is in the number table above.

SOPs

Lost / stolen passport
  1. 1Report the loss at the nearest police station or 지구대 and ask for the loss-report confirmation — most embassies want to see it.
  2. 2Call your embassy (below) for a replacement or emergency travel document, and ask exactly what to bring — usually photos, the police report and any proof of identity.
  3. 3A visa or K-ETA is tied to the old passport number. Before you fly out, ask the immigration contact centre (1345) what you need with the new passport.
Stolen wallet / cards
  1. 1Block every card with your bank first — its number is on its website or app. The card-network lines below can also block a card.
  2. 2File a police report at any 지구대 (precinct) and ask for a written confirmation for your insurer.
  3. 3A lost T-money card that was never registered cannot be refunded — buy a new one at a convenience store.
  4. 4Tell your travel insurer early; claim deadlines and paperwork differ by policy.
Medical emergency
  1. 1Dial 119 and ask for an interpreter — they bring one in on a three-way call.
  2. 2Tell them where you are, your symptoms, allergies and any medicines you take.
  3. 3Paramedics choose a hospital that can take you. Big hospitals such as Severance, Samsung Medical Center, Asan and Seoul St. Mary's run international clinics in office hours; their emergency rooms are open 24h.
  4. 4Keep every receipt and ask for a diagnosis document (진단서) for your insurer.
Full guide
Natural disaster / civil alert
  1. 1Emergency alerts (재난문자) arrive in Korean. Since 2024 the loudest alerts also name the disaster in English (e.g. "Earthquake", "Heavy rain").
  2. 2Main risks: typhoons (Jul–Sep), heatwaves, heavy rain and occasional earthquakes (notably Pohang/Gyeongju).
  3. 3The government's Emergency Ready app shows alerts for where you are and maps the nearest shelter. Its alert texts are available in English and Chinese, and more languages were announced — check the app's language settings.
  4. 4Many subway stations and building basements are designated civil-defence shelters.
Scammed or overcharged
  1. 1Stay calm, keep the receipt and photograph the bill, the meter or the sign. If someone threatens you or will not let you leave, call 112.
  2. 2File a complaint with the Tourist Complaint Center: call 1330 or use touristcomplaint.or.kr. It is the Korea Tourism Organization's desk and relays your complaint to the business or authority, then replies with the outcome.
  3. 3The scams guide lists the common patterns and the exact Korean phrases to say.
Full guide
I need an interpreter
  1. 1In danger or sick: call 112 or 119 and say your language — an interpreter joins on a three-way call.
  2. 2Travel, directions, complaints: 1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese 07:00–24:00 every day; Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay/Indonesian 08:00–19:00).
  3. 3Visa and stay questions: 1345 (weekdays 09:00–22:00, 20 languages; after 18:00 Korean, English, Chinese). In Seoul: 02-120, then press 9 (weekdays 09:00–18:00).
  4. 4Free phone interpreting by volunteers: BBB Korea, 1588-5644, 20 languages. It is a private non-profit, not an official agency, and nobody comes to you.
Lost something
  1. 1Start by searching found items at Police Civil Service 24 (minwon24.police.go.kr, Korean-language), under 유실물 (lost property). Questions about lost property and police paperwork can also go to 182 — a paid call, weekdays 09:00–18:00 only.
  2. 2Left on the subway, in a taxi or at the airport: also ask that operator's own lost-and-found; its number is on its website or at the station desk.
  3. 3A lost passport or wallet is covered in the first two cards.
Police Civil Service 24 (Korean)

Mental-health support

109 is Korea's national suicide-prevention line — the single number since January 2024, replacing 1393 — and it answers in Korean. Below are English / multilingual options and office-hours therapists for non-crisis support.

Suicide prevention (자살예방 상담전화)

24h crisis
109
Languages: KO

24h national suicide-prevention line, unified under 109 since January 2024 (the old 1393 only forwards here). Korean-first; ask 1330 to interpret if needed (07:00–midnight).

Mental health counselling (정신건강상담)

24h crisis
1577-0199
Languages: KO

General mental-health counselling — it handed suicide-prevention over to 109 in January 2024. Korean-language; 1330 can interpret (07:00–midnight).

Korea Travel Hotline interpretation

24h crisis
1330
Languages: EN, JA, ZH, RU, VI, TH, MS

English, Japanese and Chinese 07:00–midnight KST every day (Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay/Indonesian 08:00–19:00). Ask the operator to interpret a call to 109 or 1577-0199.

Adaptable Human Solutions (Seoul · Pyeongtaek)

Office hrs
+82-2-749-7915
Languages: EN

Private practice: English and bilingual therapists, in person or online; offices in Jung-gu (Seoul) and Pyeongtaek. By appointment — no crisis service.

More info ↗

Card-loss hotlines

Visa (toll-free in Korea)
00798-11-00-908-12
Mastercard Global Service (collect, from any country)
+1-636-722-7111
UnionPay (toll-free in Korea)
001-800-800-95516

Embassies in Korea

🇺🇸 United States

Seoul
188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-397-4114 · Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00 · after hours: same number (duty officer)
Official site

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Seoul
24 Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3210-5500 · By appointment · emergencies 24/7 on the same number
Official site

🇨🇦 Canada

Seoul
21 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3783-6000 · Consular Mon–Fri 09:00–11:30, 13:30–16:00 (appointment)

After hours: Emergency Watch and Response Centre, toll-free 001-800-2326-6831 (also 008- or 002- prefix).

Official site

🇦🇺 Australia

Seoul
19F, Kyobo Building, 1 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2003-0100 · Mon–Fri 09:00–12:30, 13:30–17:00

After hours: 24h Consular Emergency Centre +61-2-6261-3305.

Official site

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Seoul
8F Jeongdong Building, 21-15 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3701-7700 · Mon–Fri 09:00–12:30, 13:30–17:30
Official site

🇯🇵 Japan

Seoul
8F Twin Tree Tower A, 6 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-739-7400 · Hours: check the official site

Number shown is the consular section; embassy switchboard +82-2-2170-5200. Consulates-General in Busan and Jeju.

Official site

🇨🇳 China

Seoul
Consular section: 103 Toegye-ro 18-gil (Namsan-dong 2-ga), Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-755-0572 · Consular-protection line Mon–Fri 09:00–12:00, 13:30–17:00

The embassy itself is at 27 Myeongdong 2-gil (switchboard +82-2-771-9020). If the line is busy: MFA global consular-protection hotline +86-10-12308.

Official site

🇹🇼 Taiwan (Taipei Mission)

Seoul
6F Gwanghwamun Building, 149 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6329-6000 · Consular Mon–Fri 09:00–11:30, 13:30–15:30

Emergencies only: +82-10-9080-2761.

Official site

🇩🇪 Germany

Seoul
8F Seoul Square, 416 Hangang-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-748-4114 · Consular Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 09:00–12:00 · Tue also 13:30–16:00 · Wed 13:30–16:30

Emergencies outside office hours: +82-10-5240-7124 (Mon–Thu 17:30–24:00, Fri 16:15–24:00, weekends and holidays 08:00–24:00).

Official site

🇫🇷 France

Seoul
43-12 Seosomun-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-70-4732-6772 · Consular phone line Mon–Fri 07:00–14:00 Paris time

Genuine emergencies outside office hours: +82-10-8753-3276.

Official site

🇪🇸 Spain

Seoul
17 Hannam-daero 36-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-794-3581 · Mon–Fri 09:00–13:00

Emergencies: +82-10-3793-5706.

Official site

🇮🇹 Italy

Seoul
3F Ilshin Building, 98 Hannam-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-750-0200 · Offices Mon–Fri 09:00–17:30

Proven emergencies outside office hours: +82-10-2242-0491.

Official site

🇳🇱 Netherlands

Seoul
10F Jeongdong Building, 21-15 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-311-8600 · Mon, Wed, Fri 09:00–12:00 (appointment) · Tue, Thu 09:00–12:00 (passport collection only)
Official site

🇮🇳 India

Seoul
101 Dokseodang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-798-4257 · Mon–Fri 09:00–17:30

Indian nationals in distress, after office hours and on holidays: +82-10-9356-4188.

Official site

🇮🇩 Indonesia

Seoul
380 Yeouidaebang-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2224-9000 · Consular Mon–Fri 09:00–16:30 (break 12:00–13:00, Fri 12:30–13:30)

Hotline: +82-10-5394-2546.

Official site

🇹🇭 Thailand

Seoul
42 Daesagwan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-795-3253 · Hours: check the official site

Number shown is the consular section. Emergency hotline: +82-10-6747-0095 or +82-10-3099-2955 (LINE ID rtethai).

Official site

🇲🇾 Malaysia

Seoul
129 Dokseodang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2077-8600 · Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 (consular 09:30–12:30)

Emergency: +82-10-8974-8699.

Official site

🇵🇭 Philippines

Seoul
80 Hoenamu-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-788-2100 · Sun–Thu 09:30–16:30 (closed Fri, Sat)

Emergency hotline: +82-10-9365-2312. Assistance to nationals: extension 123, or atn@philembassy-seoul.com.

Official site

🇸🇬 Singapore

Seoul
28F Seoul Finance Center, 136 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-774-2464 · Mon–Fri 09:00–12:30, 13:30–17:30

Emergencies: +82-10-7204-6240 · MFA Consular Response Centre +65-6379-8800.

Official site

Not listed? Your foreign ministry's website gives its embassy in Seoul. Numbers and hours change — check the embassy's own site before you go.

Not an emergency?