Emergency Numbers in Korea for Foreign Travelers

Emergency Numbers in Korea for Foreign Travelers

Foreign visitors should know Korea's key emergency numbers before they need them. This guide explains 112, 119, 1330, 1339 and practical steps for getting help with limited Korean.

Emergency telephone at a Seoul subway station
A subway emergency phone is one practical way to contact staff while national numbers 112 and 119 cover police, fire, and ambulance emergencies. Photo: Luke Ma, CC BY 2.0.
Invite Korea quick take This guide is built for readers who want to know who to call for police fire ambulance tourism and translation help. Use it as a practical starting point, then check official links before visiting.

A Simple First-Day Rhythm

Morning Choose one anchor sight and arrive before crowds build.
Lunch Eat nearby instead of crossing the city for one viral restaurant.
Afternoon Add one slower stop: a market, tea house, riverside walk, museum, or local street.

Most trips to Korea are safe, but every traveler should know who to call before a problem happens. Save the key numbers once, and you will travel with more confidence.

Why This Matters

Emergency situations are stressful in any country. They are harder when you are tired, lost, injured or unable to explain the problem in Korean.

Korea has dedicated emergency and travel-help numbers, and some services can connect foreign-language interpretation support.

What To Know First

  • Call 112 for police emergencies.
  • Call 119 for fire department and ambulance emergencies.
  • Call 1330 for Korea Travel Hotline support, tourism information, interpretation and travel complaints.
  • Call 1339 for medical emergency information and help finding medical care, according to official tourism FAQ guidance.
  • If you do not speak Korean during an emergency call, say 'English please' or 'Interpreter please.'
  • During severe weather, accidents or public safety alerts, follow official instructions first and ask your hotel, host or nearby staff to help confirm details if you cannot read Korean notices.

How To Use This In Korea

  • Save 112, 119, 1330 and +82-2-1330 in your phone before arrival.
  • Save your hotel address in Korean so you can read or show it quickly.
  • Use nearby building names, station exits, road signs or GPS to explain your location.
  • For non-life-threatening travel problems, contact 1330 instead of emergency police or ambulance lines.
  • If you lose a passport, contact your embassy or consulate after securing immediate safety.

Common Mistakes

  • Waiting to look up emergency numbers during a crisis.
  • Calling a travel hotline for a life-threatening emergency instead of 112 or 119.
  • Not knowing your current location.
  • Leaving your phone battery too low late at night.
  • Assuming every hospital desk will have fluent English support at all times.

First-Timer Tips

  • Use simple words: police, ambulance, fire, hurt, lost, hotel, subway station.
  • Keep a passport copy and travel insurance information accessible.
  • Ask hotel staff for help calling if the issue is urgent but not life-threatening.
  • Use 1330 for tourist complaints, interpretation and travel guidance.

Before You Go

  • Save emergency numbers and travel hotline contacts.
  • Save hotel and embassy information.
  • Prepare insurance details.
  • Install any official safety or emergency app you plan to use.
  • Keep your phone charged when traveling alone or late at night.

FAQ

What is 112 in Korea?

112 is the police emergency number in Korea.

What is 119 in Korea?

119 connects you to fire and ambulance emergency services.

Can foreigners call 1330 in Korea?

Yes. The 1330 Korea Travel Hotline supports tourist information, interpretation and travel complaints for local and international travelers.

Sources And Further Reading

  • Korea.net - Official Korean government gateway for culture, policy, and general Korea information.
  • Visit Korea - Official Korea Tourism Organization website for foreign travelers.
  • Incheon International Airport - Official airport information for international arrivals.
  • VISITKOREA Emergency FAQ - Official FAQ for emergency numbers including 112, 119, 1339, and 1330 Korea Travel Hotline.

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