Nobody wants to think about emergencies, but the time to learn the numbers is now — calmly, before anything goes wrong — not while your hands are shaking. Korea has a fast, well-organized emergency response system, and the two numbers that matter most are easy to remember: 119 for fire and ambulance, and 112 for police.
The reassuring part for foreigners is that you do not need fluent Korean to get help. The main emergency lines can connect you to interpretation, and there are several multilingual support numbers for less urgent situations. This guide lists the numbers you can rely on, explains what to say, and covers ambulances, disasters, and basic preparation.
The core numbers
Save these in your phone today. The two true emergency lines are 119 and 112; the rest are help and information lines.
| Number | What it's for |
|---|---|
| 119 | Fire, ambulance, rescue, and medical emergencies |
| 112 | Police — crime, accidents, immediate danger |
| 110 | Government information and civil complaints (non-emergency) |
| 120 | Dasan call center (Seoul) — city help and interpretation |
| 1339 | Disease control and health information line |
| 1345 | Immigration Contact Center (visa/residency questions) |
| 1330 | Travel/tourist helpline — 24-hour multilingual help |
119 — fire, rescue and ambulance
Dial 119 for any fire, a person who is seriously hurt or unwell, someone trapped, or any situation where you need an ambulance. The same number handles medical emergencies, so this is the one to call if someone collapses, has chest pain, is badly injured, or cannot breathe. Ambulances dispatched through 119 take patients to an appropriate emergency room.
112 — police
Dial 112 for crimes, threats to your safety, traffic accidents, theft, or any situation involving immediate danger or wrongdoing. If you are unsure whether something is a police matter, it is fine to call and let them direct you.
What to say when you call
In a real emergency, give the most useful information first, in this order:
- Where you are — an address if you know it, otherwise a landmark, building name, station, or major intersection. Location matters most.
- What happened — fire, injury, accident, crime, in a few clear words.
- Who is involved — how many people, whether anyone is hurt, and how seriously.
- Your name and phone number, so they can call back.
If your Korean is limited, lead with your location and ask for an English interpreter. Stay on the line until told you can hang up.
Ambulances and the ER for foreigners
Emergency care in Korea is available to foreigners just as it is to residents. If you go to a hospital emergency room, bring your passport or Alien Registration Card and, if you have it, your insurance information. Treatment is provided based on need; payment and insurance details are handled as part of the process. If you are enrolled in National Health Insurance, that helps with eligible costs, though emergency rooms can still be expensive compared with a clinic.
Emergency versus non-emergency
Use 119 and the ER for genuine emergencies — serious injuries, severe symptoms, anything life-threatening. For minor illnesses like a cold, a mild fever, or a small cut, a neighborhood clinic is faster, cheaper, and the right choice. Our guide to seeing a doctor in Korea explains how clinics work and what a visit costs.
Disaster alerts and the Emergency Ready app
You will receive emergency alert text messages (재난문자) on your phone for things like severe weather, fires, and public safety warnings. These arrive automatically and are often in Korean, so a translation app helps you read them quickly. The Emergency Ready app provides safety information and guidance for foreigners, including how to respond to different situations and where to find nearby facilities. Installing it before you need it is a smart move.
Basic preparation
A little readiness goes a long way:
- Save 119 and 112 in your contacts now.
- Know your home address in a form you can read aloud.
- Keep your ARC or a copy accessible.
- Install a translation app and the Emergency Ready app.
- Note the nearest hospital with an emergency room.
You can move around the city confidently once these are in place — and if you are out and about, our guide to using T-money and public transport helps you get home quickly.
Keep it simple
For almost any emergency in Korea, the answer is one of two numbers: 119 for fire, medical, and rescue, or 112 for police. Lead with your location, ask for an interpreter if you need one, and let the operator guide you. Add the help lines above for non-urgent questions, prepare a little in advance, and you will be ready for whatever comes up. Browse more practical guides in our Daily Life & Health section.