🚨 Korean Emergency Numbers and What to Do
Korean Emergency Numbers & What to Say (Traveler/Expat Quick Guide)
If something goes wrong, you need 3 things fast: the right number, the right words, and the right next step.
This skimmable guide gives you the essential numbers (112 / 119 / 1330), simple English↔Korean phrases, and step-by-step actions so you can stay calm and get help quickly.
이 글은 한국의 긴급 전화번호(112/119/1330)와 상황별 핵심 표현, 즉각적인 대처 순서를 한눈에 제공합니다.
📑 Table of Contents (open/close)
🎯 Learning Goals
- Save time by dialing the correct number immediately.
- Use 2–3 survival phrases in clear, simple Korean.
- Follow a calm 5-step checklist until help arrives.
📞 Essential Emergency Numbers
- 🚓 Police — 112
- 🚑 Ambulance & Fire — 119
- 🌐 Multilingual help — 1330 (Korean/English/Japanese/Chinese; travel & info support, can guide you to services)
- 🛂 Passport/Embassy: call your embassy in Seoul for consular help.
Tip: Speak slowly. If you don’t know the address, describe the nearest landmark (intersection, station exit number, big store).
🧭 What to Do in an Emergency — 5 Steps
- Call the number (112 or 119). Stay on the line.
- Say the emergency: “도와주세요 (Help), 불이 났어요 (There’s a fire), 사람이 다쳤어요 (Someone is hurt).”
- Give location: building name + floor / closest subway exit / street name.
- Language request: “영어 가능하신가요? (Do you speak English?)”
- Stay available: Keep your phone free; follow instructions until responders arrive.
🏥 Hospitals & Pharmacies (24/7 options vary by city)
- Major hospitals in Seoul (e.g., Severance, Samsung Medical Center) have international services or coordinators.
- Emergency pharmacy finder: pharm114.or.kr
As availability can change, confirm hours by phone before you go (as of 2025-09-14).
💬 Survival Phrases & Mini Quiz
| Korean | RR | English |
|---|---|---|
| 도와주세요! | dowajuseyo | Help! |
| 구급차 불러 주세요. | gugeupcha bulleo juseyo | Please call an ambulance. |
| 여기 사람이 다쳤어요. | yeogi sarami dachyeosseoyo | Someone is injured here. |
| 주소는 ○○로 12, 3층이에요. | juso-neun ○○-ro sip-i, sam-cheung-ieyo | The address is 12, ○○-ro, 3rd floor. |
| 영어 가능하신가요? | yeongeo ganeunghasin-gayo | Do you speak English? |
📝 Quick Quiz (open)
- 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 yourself saying the 5 phrases once slowly, once quickly. Save the audio in your phone’s “Emergency” folder.
👩🏫 Teacher’s Tips
- Start tiny: Add “112 / 119 / 1330” to your phone’s favorites. Screenshot this page.
- Environment design: Make a one-tap note with your home/work address + landmark.
- Reality phrases: Learn 1 line you can say under stress: “여기 사람이 다쳤어요.”
❌ 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?
Emergency operators can guide you step-by-step (e.g., basic first-aid / what to check) while help is on the way. Calls to 112/119 are prioritized and free from Korean phones.
112(경찰)·119(구급/소방) 연결 시, 상황 설명→위치→인원 수 순으로 또박또박 말하면 처리 속도가 빨라집니다.
🎓 italki Lesson
Want live practice & quick feedback? Book a 1:1 session and rehearse your emergency script with a teacher.
Bookmark · Share with a friend · Comment your 1 emergency phrase you’ll memorize today.
Small actions compound. Stay safe & keep learning.
