Korea Emergency Numbers: 112, 119 and 1330 Guide for Travelers

 

A foreign traveler in Korea checking emergency numbers 112, 119 and 1330 on a phone

In Korea, calling the wrong number can waste time when you are already stressed.

For real emergencies in Korea, remember two numbers first: 112 for police and 119 for ambulance or fire.

1330 is also important for travelers, but it is not the same as an emergency rescue number. It is the Korea Travel Helpline for tourist information, interpretation, and travel-related help.

This guide explains which Korea emergency number to call, what to say if you do not speak Korean, and what tourists should do when they lose something or need medical help.




Korea Emergency Numbers: What Tourists Need to Know First

Korea has several important help numbers, but tourists do not need to memorize everything at once.

Start with 112 and 119. Call 112 when you need police help. Call 119 when you need an ambulance, fire department, or urgent medical help.

For travel support, use 1330. It can help with tourist information, interpretation, and tourist complaints. It can also be useful when you are confused but not in immediate danger.

Important:

If someone is injured, in danger, trapped, threatened, or needs urgent medical help, call 112 or 119 first. Do not wait for a tourist hotline in a real emergency.


Quick Guide: Which Number Should You Call?

Save this quick list before your Korea trip. It is the easiest way to remember what to do when something goes wrong.

  • ✓ 112: Police
  • ✓ 119: Ambulance, fire, and urgent medical emergencies
  • ✓ 1330: Korea Travel Helpline, tourist information, interpretation, and tourist complaints
  • ✓ 1339: Infectious disease information
  • ✓ 182: Lost and found assistance through Lost112


Korea emergency numbers infographic for tourists showing 112 for police, 119 for ambulance and fire, 1330 for travel help, and 1339 for infectious disease information


1. Call 112 for Police

Call 112 when you need police help in Korea.

This can include theft, assault, harassment, threats, dangerous behavior, traffic accidents that need police response, or a situation where you feel unsafe.

If your wallet, phone, passport, or bag was stolen, 112 is the number to remember first. If the item was simply lost, the lost and found process may be more useful, but police help can still matter when theft is involved.

  • ✓ Call 112 for crime or danger.
  • ✓ Say your location clearly.
  • ✓ Use nearby buildings, station names, or your phone GPS.
  • ✓ Say “English please” or “Interpreter please” if you need language help.

If you are in a subway station, shopping mall, hotel, restaurant, or airport, staff nearby may also help explain your location to the operator.


2. Call 119 for Ambulance or Fire

Call 119 for an ambulance, fire, or urgent medical emergency in Korea.

This is the number to use if someone is badly injured, has trouble breathing, collapses, has a serious allergic reaction, is in a fire, or needs emergency medical help.

For tourists, the key is not to overthink it. If the situation feels medically urgent, call 119. If you are not sure whether it is serious, it is better to ask for help than to wait too long.

  • ✓ Call 119 for ambulance help.
  • ✓ Call 119 for fire.
  • ✓ Call 119 for serious injury or sudden medical symptoms.
  • ✓ Say “English please” or “Interpreter please” if needed.

For minor symptoms, a pharmacy may be enough. Korean pharmacies can help with common travel problems such as mild cold symptoms, stomach discomfort, small cuts, motion sickness, and basic over-the-counter medicine questions.

Medical help map: For minor symptoms, check nearby pharmacies before your day gets harder.

Find Pharmacies in Seoul →


3. Call 1330 for Travel Help and Interpretation

1330 is the Korea Travel Helpline. It is useful for travelers, but it is not the same as 112 or 119.

Use 1330 when you need travel information, tourist interpretation, or help with a travel-related problem. It can be useful when you are lost, confused about transportation, having a communication problem, or need help understanding a travel situation.

In Korea, dial 1330. From outside Korea, the number is usually written as +82-2-1330.

  • ✓ Use 1330 for tourist information.
  • ✓ Use 1330 for tourist interpretation help.
  • ✓ Use 1330 for travel-related complaints.
  • ✓ Do not use 1330 instead of 112 or 119 in a real emergency.

A simple way to remember it is this: 112 and 119 are for urgent emergency response. 1330 is for travel help and language support.


4. Call 1339 for Infectious Disease Information

1339 is used for infectious disease information in Korea.

Most travelers will not need this number during a normal trip, but it is useful to know if you need official guidance related to infectious disease symptoms, public health questions, or disease-control information.

For serious symptoms or urgent medical help, 119 is still the main emergency number to remember.

Travel note: 1339 is for infectious disease information. For an ambulance or urgent medical emergency, call 119.


5. What to Say If You Do Not Speak Korean

You do not need perfect Korean to ask for help in Korea.

If you call 112 or 119 and need language support, say “English please” or “Interpreter please.” Keep your sentence short and repeat your location clearly.

Your location is one of the most important details. If you cannot explain the address, use a nearby subway station, hotel, store, landmark, or your smartphone map location.

  • ✓ “English please.”
  • ✓ “Interpreter please.”
  • ✓ “I need police.”
  • ✓ “I need an ambulance.”
  • ✓ “My location is...”

Mobile data matters in emergency situations. If your phone has internet access, you can show your location, use a translation app, check nearby pharmacies, and contact your hotel faster.


6. What to Do If You Lose Something in Korea

If you lose something in Korea, first think about whether it was lost or stolen.

If you believe it was stolen, call 112 or visit a nearby police station. If you simply lost an item, Korea’s Lost112 system and local lost and found offices may help.

VisitKorea lists Lost112 / lost and found assistance under emergency information, and travelers may also ask station staff, hotel staff, or store staff for help depending on where the item was lost.

  • ✓ If it was stolen, contact police through 112.
  • ✓ If it was lost, check the place where you last had it.
  • ✓ Ask station, hotel, store, or restaurant staff.
  • ✓ Prepare a photo or clear description of the item.
  • ✓ For passport loss, contact your embassy or consulate as soon as possible.

For a lost passport, do not wait too long. Your embassy or consulate can explain what documents you need and how to continue your trip or return home.


FAQ

What is the emergency number in Korea?

The two most important emergency numbers in Korea are 112 for police and 119 for ambulance, fire, and urgent medical emergencies.

Should I call 112 or 119 in Korea?

Call 112 for police help, crime, threats, or danger. Call 119 for ambulance, fire, serious injury, or urgent medical help.

Can foreigners call 119 in Korea?

Yes. Foreigners can call 119 in Korea for ambulance, fire, and urgent medical emergencies. If you need language help, say “English please” or “Interpreter please.”

Does 1330 help in English?

Yes. 1330 is the Korea Travel Helpline and provides tourist information, interpretation, and travel-related help in multiple languages, including English.

What number should I call for police in Korea?

Call 112 for police in Korea. Use it for crime, danger, threats, theft, or situations where you need police response.

What number should I call for an ambulance in Korea?

Call 119 for an ambulance in Korea. 119 is also used for fire and urgent medical emergencies.

What should I say if I do not speak Korean?

Say “English please” or “Interpreter please.” Then explain your location using a nearby building, station name, hotel name, or smartphone GPS.

What should I do if I lose my passport or wallet in Korea?

If it was stolen, call 112 or visit a police station. If it was lost, check the place where you last had it and ask staff for lost and found help. For a lost passport, contact your embassy or consulate quickly.

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