Emergency Help in Korea: 112, 119, 1330 and English-Speaking Hospitals

In an emergency in Korea, call 112 for the police or 119 for fire and ambulance; if you don't speak Korean, say "English please" or "Interpreter please" and the operator connects a professional interpreter. For travel information and interpretation, call the 1330 Korea Travel Helpline, every day from 07:00 to midnight Korea time (1330 in Korea, +82-2-1330 from overseas). Save these numbers before you fly.

Source: Korea Tourism Organization — disaster safety services and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency — 1330 hours (Korean); checked Oct 25, 2026.

The short version

Source: Korea Tourism Organization — emergency situations (updated Sep 11, 2026), KDCA call center, KDCA — 1330 hours (Korean) and Seoul Metropolitan Government; checked Oct 25, 2026.

Calling 112 or 119

Call 112 or 119 when there's a threat to life or property. When the call connects:

1. Say "English please" or "Interpreter please." The operator connects you to a professional interpreter.
2. Say where you are. Use the names of nearby buildings, or the GPS on your phone.
3. Describe what happened and follow the operator's instructions.

Source: Korea Tourism Organization — disaster safety services; checked Oct 25, 2026.

Two safety apps worth installing

Source: Korea Tourism Organization — disaster safety services (updated Oct 2026) and Seoul Metropolitan Government — Emergency Ready App; checked Oct 25, 2026. Download both from Google Play or the App Store.

1330: the travel helpline

The 1330 Korea Travel Hotline is a phone and real-time chat service run by the Korea Tourism Organization. It answers every day from 07:00 to midnight Korea time, in English and several other languages.

Source: Korea Tourism Organization — 1330 Travel Helpline & Complaint Center and KDCA — 1330 hours (Korean); checked Oct 25, 2026.

Seeing a doctor

For a medical emergency, call 119. For non-urgent care, the Korea Tourism Organization says many of Korea's large hospitals run an International Health Care Center with interpreters who help from booking to follow-up. The Korea Tourism Organization lists the centers below with weekday hours; these are the international centers' hours, not the hospitals' emergency departments. Contact the center before visiting.

This is part of the Korea Tourism Organization's list; it includes more hospitals in Seoul, Incheon, Suwon and Iksan. We list them as published, not as recommendations.

Source: Korea Tourism Organization — emergency situations (updated Sep 11, 2026) and Haeundae Paik Hospital — International Healthcare Center; checked Oct 25, 2026.

Lost something?

• LOST 112, the National Police Agency's lost-and-found site: lost112.go.kr, in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese. From a phone in Korea, the police call center is 182.
• Need help explaining what you lost? Call 1330 for interpretation (07:00–midnight).

Source: Korea Tourism Organization — emergency situations and 1330 Travel Helpline; checked Oct 25, 2026.

Your embassy

If you lose your passport or need consular help, contact your country's embassy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists the diplomatic missions in Korea at mofa.go.kr (Korean and English).

Source: Korea Tourism Organization — emergency situations; checked Oct 25, 2026.

Before you fly

1. Save 112, 119 and 1330 (+82-2-1330) in your phone.
2. Install the Baro Emergency Reporting App and the Emergency Ready app.
3. Write down your embassy's phone number and your hotel's address in Korean.
4. If you take regular medicine, note the hospital's international center for the city you'll be in.

Source: Korea Tourism Organization; checked Oct 25, 2026. Buying medicine: pharmacies in Korea. More preparation: Korea first-timer checklist.

FAQ

What is the emergency number in Korea?

112 for the police and 119 for fire, ambulance and medical emergencies. If you don't speak Korean, say "English please" or "Interpreter please" and an interpreter joins the call.

Is there an English helpline for tourists in Korea?

Yes. The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline answers every day from 07:00 to midnight Korea time, in English and other languages: 1330 in Korea, or +82-2-1330 from overseas.

Where can I see an English-speaking doctor in Korea?

Many large hospitals have an International Health Care Center with interpreters; the ones listed above are open on weekdays. For an emergency, call 119.

How do I find something I lost in Korea?

Check LOST 112, the police lost-and-found site, at lost112.go.kr. From a phone in Korea you can also call the police call center at 182.