In Korea, dial 119 for an ambulance or fire, 112 for the police, and 1330 for the 24-hour tourist helpline when you need help in English, Japanese or Chinese. For a headache or a cold, a pharmacy (약국) or a 24-hour convenience store will do; for anything serious, call 119 first and ask questions later.
The three numbers to save
| Number | Use it for | Language help |
|---|---|---|
| 119 | Ambulance, fire, rescue, sudden serious illness | Operators can bring in an interpreter by three-way call; speak slowly, say your location first |
| 112 | Police: theft, assault, accidents, threats | Say "English" and your location; ask for an interpreter |
| 1330 | Tourist help and interpretation, not an emergency line | English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean 24 hours a day; chat also available |
If it is an emergency
- Call 119 for an ambulance. Give the place you are standing in as exactly as you can: the building name, the nearest subway exit or the address shown on your map app.
- Cannot speak? 119 also takes text reports, and a photo or video of where you are can help the control room find you. There is also an English version of the 119 reporting app.
- Call 112 for the police. Stay where you are if it is safe and keep your passport details handy.
- Ask 1330 if you are not sure whether it counts as an emergency, or you need someone to help you explain something in a clinic, shop or police station. It is a travel information line, so it is not a replacement for 119 or 112.
From outside Korea, 1330 is reached at +82-2-1330. Voice lines in Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian run shorter hours than English, Japanese and Chinese, so check the Korea Tourism Organization page if you need those.
Feeling unwell: pharmacy, convenience store or hospital
Pharmacies
- How to spot one Look for the sign 약국 (yakguk). Take a photo of your symptoms or the medicine name to show the pharmacist.
- Hours They vary by shop. Many close in the evening and some are closed on Sundays and holidays.
- Late night and holidays The National Emergency Medical Center's E-GEN website has a pharmacy search that includes late-night and holiday pharmacies. Phone the pharmacy before you go.
- Tell the pharmacist Your symptoms, allergies, and any medicine you already take. For anything beyond a minor complaint, see a doctor.
Medicines at convenience stores
- What is sold The government designates a short list of "safety medicines" that 24-hour convenience stores may sell without a pharmacist: fever and pain relievers, cold medicine, digestive aids and pain-relief patches.
- Limits The list is small, and the stock varies by store. Do not expect the full range of a pharmacy, and some products are not for children.
- Read the label Packages are in Korean. Use a translation app on the ingredient list and dose, or ask a pharmacist.
Finding a hospital that works with foreigners
- Ask 1330 first The helpline can help you with directions and, with an interpreter, help you explain what is wrong.
- Large hospitals Some big hospitals in Seoul and other cities have international clinics with staff who speak foreign languages. Check the hospital's website for an international clinic page.
- Small clinics Neighborhood clinics are fast and cheap, but may not have English. A translation app and your passport are usually enough.
- In an emergency Do not search for a specific hospital. Call 119 and the crew will take you to a suitable emergency room.
Travel insurance and receipts
- Pay at the counter and ask for a detailed receipt and a medical certificate or diagnosis if your insurer needs them.
- Keep prescriptions and pharmacy receipts. Take photos on your phone as a backup.
- Check your policy before you leave: some require you to call the insurer before treatment, and some need a bill with itemized costs.
Lost something?
- Police lost-property portal Lost112 collects found items reported by subways, buses, taxis and public facilities. Searching it is free, and items are generally kept for up to six months.
- Subway and bus Ask station staff or the operator's lost-and-found, and describe where and when you traveled.
- Taxi Keep your receipt: it shows the taxi number, which helps the company find the driver.
- Lost passport Report it to the police, then contact your embassy.
Emergency alert texts
Korea sends loud emergency alert texts to phones during storms, earthquakes, heat waves, fine dust and other warnings. Most arrive in Korean, so a sudden buzzing is not a fault with your phone. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Emergency Ready App provides alerts for foreign visitors; English is among its supported languages. Install it before you travel, allow notifications, and use it to find nearby shelters.
FAQ
Are 119 and 112 free?
Calling 119 or 112 costs nothing from a phone with service. Ambulance and hospital charges are a separate matter, so keep your insurance details handy and ask the official page or your insurer.
Will the 119 operator speak English?
Not always, but control rooms can bring in an interpreter by three-way call. Say "English" and your location, then keep sentences short. If you struggle, ask a bystander to call for you.
Can I buy painkillers at a convenience store at night?
Yes, the stores that are open 24 hours may sell the designated safety medicines in the categories above. Check the shelf, because stock differs by store.
What if I need a doctor on a Sunday?
Search for open clinics and pharmacies on E-GEN or ask 1330. For an urgent problem, go to an emergency room or call 119.
Do I need to understand the alert texts?
They are short. Look for place names or words such as typhoon, earthquake or evacuation, translate with your phone camera, or ask your hotel front desk.
Sources and last check
Checked against the Korea Tourism Organization (1330), the National Fire Agency (119), the Korean National Police Agency (Lost112), the Ministry of Health and Welfare (convenience-store safety medicines), the National Emergency Medical Center (E-GEN) and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (Emergency Ready App), on 28 October 2026. Hours, language lists and product lists can change, so confirm them with the official pages before you travel.