SAFETY · GUIDE
Getting help in an emergency in Korea
Call 112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance, and 1330 for the government travel helpline, which provides interpretation.
Something has gone wrong→Reaching the right service
← All guidesWHAT DECIDES THIS
The numbers that change your choice.
- Police
- 112Crime, theft, immediate danger to a person.
- Fire and ambulance
- 119Medical emergencies, fire, rescue.
- Travel helpline
- 1330Korea Tourism Organization. Information and interpretation, not an emergency service.
- Have ready
- Your location in Korean, and your accommodation addressThe station and exit number is often the fastest way to describe where you are.
LAST CHECKEDJuly 29, 2026
1 day ago. Fares, routes and final train times change—confirm live before you travel.
STEP BY STEP
Do it in this order.
Each step names the sign to look for where one exists, and what travellers most often get wrong.- 01Decide which service you need
112 for police. 119 for fire, rescue and ambulance. 1330 for everything that is urgent but not an emergency — a lost passport, a scam, a language barrier at a hospital.
Watch out If life or property is in immediate danger, call the emergency number first and sort out interpretation second.
- 02Say where you are, as precisely as you can
A subway station name plus an exit number is often the clearest location you can give in Korea. A building name or a road address also works.
Watch out An English business name may not be recognisable. Prefer the station, the address, or a landmark.
- 03Ask for interpretation if you need it
The 1330 helpline provides interpretation and can help bridge a language gap with a service or a hospital.
- 04Save your accommodation address in Korean now
You need this for taxis anyway, and in an emergency it is the fastest way to get yourself or someone else to where you are staying.
Watch out Looking this up under stress, possibly without data, is the situation to avoid.
- 05Keep your embassy details reachable offline
For a lost passport or a legal problem, your own country's embassy or consulate is the relevant authority. Save the number before you travel.
- 06Report a scam or a service problem
1330 can advise on tourist-facing scams and disputes. For anything criminal, contact the police on 112.
ALTERNATIVES
Compare before you commit.
There is no single best option. The right one depends on your luggage, your arrival time and where you are staying.COMMON MISTAKES
What goes wrong most often.
Calling 1330 during a genuine emergency.
Call 112 or 119 first. 1330 is a helpline, not an emergency dispatcher.
Describing your location by an English business name.
Give the subway station and exit number, or the road address. Those are recognisable.
Not saving your accommodation address in Korean.
Save it on arrival day. You need it for taxis regardless, and in an emergency it removes a delay.
Assuming your travel insurance covers everything.
Check what your policy actually covers before you travel. The ambulance call and the treatment are separate matters.
TRAVELER FAQ
Answers before you leave.
Does anyone answering 112 or 119 speak English?
Interpretation support exists, but do not assume the first person who answers shares your language. Lead with your location, then ask for interpretation.
Is 1330 free?
It is Korea's official tourism helpline and is provided free. It offers information and interpretation, not emergency dispatch.
What do I do about a lost passport?
Report it to the police for a report, then contact your embassy or consulate for a replacement. 1330 can help with interpretation along the way.
Who do I call if I am lost late at night?
That is what 1330 is for. If you feel unsafe rather than merely lost, call 112.
Will an ambulance take me to a hospital that speaks English?
You cannot count on it. 1330 can help with interpretation once you are there, and some larger hospitals have international clinics.
SOURCES
Check it yourself.
Every changing rule stays attached to the organization responsible for it.Last checked July 29, 2026. Korea Now edits these guides from official sources and does not decide eligibility, fares or schedules on your behalf.
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