Korea Emergency Numbers: Who to Call (119, 112, 1330 & More)

Published on June 26, 2026

If you have an emergency in South Korea, these are the three numbers to know: dial 119 for fire, medical emergencies, or an ambulance; dial 112 for police and crime; and call 1330, the 24-hour Korea Travel Hotline, for free English help with anything travel-related. All three offer English interpretation, so you can call even if you do not speak Korean.

This guide explains exactly who to call for which situation, how the free English interpretation works, and the extra numbers worth saving — verified against official Korean and U.S. government sources as of June 2026. In a real emergency, call 119 or 112 first and confirm details with the official sources linked at the bottom.

Note: This guide is for general informational purposes only and is not professional, medical, or legal advice. In a real emergency, call 119 or 112 immediately, and confirm time-sensitive details (numbers, procedures, hours) with the official sources below.

The 3 Numbers You Need First

119 — Fire, medical, ambulance, rescue. Call 119 for any life-threatening situation: a fire, a serious injury or illness, or to request an ambulance. Ambulance service in Korea is free. The line operates 24/7, and English interpretation is available — when connected, you can say "English," and the operator brings an interpreter onto the call.

112 — Police and crime. Call 112 to report a crime, an accident, or if you feel unsafe. Foreign-language interpretation on the 112 line is available around the clock. Important: after you dial, you may hear a beep or waiting tone while the system connects you to both a police officer and an interpreter — do not hang up; stay on the line until they answer.

1330 — Korea Travel Hotline (non-emergency). Run by the Korea Tourism Organization, 1330 is a free, 24-hour line offering help in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese (some other languages during daytime hours). Use it for directions, transport, translation, and general travel problems. It can also place a three-way call to 119 or 112 on your behalf and interpret between you and the operator.

How the Free English Interpretation Works

You do not need Korean to call for help. Both 119 and 112 connect foreign callers to an interpreter, often through a three-way call with the 1330 tourism interpreters. A few practical tips:

- When the operator answers, clearly say "English" and then wait.
- Do not hang up if you hear a beep or silence — that is the system connecting an interpreter.
- If you are too flustered to navigate the emergency line, you can call 1330 first, explain your situation to an English-speaking operator, and have them contact 119 or 112 for you.
- Try to know your location: an address, a nearby landmark, or a subway station name helps responders reach you fast. Map apps like Naver Map or KakaoMap can show your current address.
- You can dial 119 and 112 from any phone with no area code, and emergency calls generally connect even on a foreign phone, so do not worry about your number or SIM in a genuine emergency.

There is also a separate emergency report app and text-message options for situations where you cannot speak safely, but for most travelers a voice call to 119 or 112 with "English" is the fastest path to help.

Other Useful Numbers

120 — Seoul Dasan Call Center. This is Seoul's city call center for municipal questions: transport, public facilities, local services, and minor complaints. For English, dial 120, then press 9, then 1. It covers the Seoul area specifically; outside Seoul, use 1330 for travel help. (Service hours have been expanding, so confirm current availability.)

110 — Government Call Center. A nationwide line for general government and public-service information from ministries and local offices, with assistance available in more than 20 languages including English. Use it for administrative questions rather than emergencies.

For U.S. Citizens: The Embassy

If you are a U.S. citizen facing a serious emergency — a lost or stolen passport, arrest, hospitalization, or worse — contact the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.

- Phone: +82 (0)2 397-4114. For after-hours emergencies involving a U.S. citizen, the same number reaches the Embassy Duty Officer.
- Location: 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul (the Gwanghwamun area, near the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History).
- Routine American Citizen Services are by appointment, but genuine emergencies are handled urgently.
- Before your trip, it is worth enrolling in the State Department's free STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) so the embassy can reach you with alerts.

For broader, day-to-day safety context, see our Seoul safety guide for solo travelers.

Official Sources & Hotlines

- 119 (fire/medical/ambulance) and 112 (police) — nationwide, 24/7, English interpretation.
- 1330 — Korea Tourism Organization Travel Hotline, 24/7 multilingual.
- 120 — Seoul Dasan Call Center (Seoul municipal services).
- 110 — Integrated Government Call Center (nationwide government info).
- U.S. Embassy Seoul — +82 (0)2 397-4114, kr.usembassy.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the main emergency number in Korea?
Answer: There are two primary emergency numbers: 119 for fire, medical emergencies, and ambulances, and 112 for police and crime. Both operate 24/7 nationwide and provide English interpretation. For non-emergency travel help, call the free 1330 Korea Travel Hotline.

Q: Can I call 119 or 112 if I don't speak Korean?
Answer: Yes. Both lines offer English interpretation around the clock. Say "English" when connected and wait — do not hang up if you hear a beep, as the system is connecting an interpreter. You can also call 1330 first and have an English-speaking operator contact emergency services for you.

Q: Is calling an ambulance in Korea expensive?
Answer: No. The 119 ambulance service itself is free in Korea. You may still be charged for hospital treatment, so keep your travel insurance details handy and ask for an itemized English receipt to file a claim later.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional, medical, or legal advice. Emergency numbers, procedures, and service hours can change; verify current details with official sources — such as the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. CDC, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, and the Korea Tourism Organization (1330 / VisitKorea) — before relying on them. Information verified as of June 2026.