🚨 Korean Emergency Numbers and What to Do
🚨 Korean Emergency Numbers & What to Say (Traveler / Expat Quick Guide)
When an emergency happens, speed and clarity save lives.
This updated guide explains the main numbers (112, 119, 1330), what to say in Korean or English, and how to find 24-hour hospitals and pharmacies in Korea.
한국에서 긴급 상황이 발생했을 때 바로 사용할 수 있는 전화번호, 표현, 병원·약국 찾기 팁을 단계별로 정리했습니다.
📑 Table of Contents (open/close)
📞 Emergency Numbers in Korea
- 🚓 Police: 112
- 🚑 Ambulance & Fire: 119
- 🌐 Tourist Hotline (Multilingual): 1330 (24/7 Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
- 🛂 Embassy Help: Contact your country’s embassy in Seoul.
💡 If you don’t know your exact location, mention a nearby landmark or subway exit number.
🧭 What to Do — 5 Steps
- Call 112 or 119 and stay on the line.
- Say what happened: “도와주세요 (Help!)”, “불이 났어요 (There’s a fire)”, “사람이 다쳤어요 (Someone is hurt).”
- Give your location: street, building name, floor, or nearest exit.
- Ask for English help: “영어 가능하신가요?” (Do you speak English?)
- Stay calm and follow directions.
🏥 Hospitals & Pharmacies (24/7 Options)
- Severance Hospital, Samsung Medical Center — both have international service centers.
- Pharmacy Finder: pharm114.or.kr
☎ Always call before visiting — 24-hour services may vary by region.
💬 Essential Phrases & Mini Quiz
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 도와주세요! | dowajuseyo | Help! |
| 불이 났어요! | buri nass-eoyo | There’s a fire! |
| 사람이 다쳤어요. | sarami dachyeosseoyo | Someone is injured. |
| 구급차 불러 주세요. | gugeupcha bulleo juseyo | Please call an ambulance. |
| 영어 가능하신가요? | yeongeo ganeunghasin-gayo? | Do you speak English? |
📝 Quick Quiz
- How do you ask for an ambulance in Korean?
- Which number is for police? For ambulance/fire?
Answers: “구급차 불러 주세요.” / 112 = Police, 119 = Ambulance & Fire.
2-minute practice: Record the 5 phrases (slow & fast) and save them to your phone’s “Emergency” folder.
❌ Common Mistakes & Fixes
- Mistake: Talking too fast / long story first. Fix: Lead with the problem → location → number of people.
- Mistake: Only English. Fix: Add one keyword in Korean (불 fire / 사고 accident / 다쳤어요 injured).
- Mistake: No address ready. Fix: Save a text note with address + landmark + building entrance details.
🌏 Did You Know?
Operators at 119 can give step-by-step first-aid guidance until responders arrive. All calls are free and prioritized from Korean phones.
112(경찰)과 119(구급/소방)은 외국인 통역 지원이 가능하며, 통화는 무료입니다.
❓ FAQ
Q1. Can I dial 911 in Korea?
A. 911 does not route in Korea. Call 112 (police) or 119 (ambulance & fire). If unsure, dial 119 for life-threatening cases.
Q2. I don’t speak Korean—what should I say first?
A. Start with: “Help, English please.” Then: “Location … (landmark/subway exit). Someone is injured/fire/accident.” You can add “영어 가능하신가요?”.
Q3. Is 1330 free and 24/7?
A. Yes. 1330 is a 24/7 multilingual tourist hotline (Korean/English/Japanese/Chinese) that can guide you to services.
🎓 Practice on italki
Want to build confidence for real emergencies? Book a 1:1 session on italki and practice your Korean emergency script with a native teacher.
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📤 Share: Help others stay safe in Korea.
💬 Comment: Which phrase will you memorize first?
Small daily learning keeps you ready for real life — stay curious and safe!
