Korea Emergency Numbers & Essential Services For Travelers (2025 Guide)

Korea Emergency Numbers & Essential Services for Travelers (2025 Guide)

Traveling to Korea and want to stay prepared? Knowing the right Korea emergency numbers and essential services can make your trip safer and stress-free.

As someone living in Seoul, I’ve put together this complete guide to emergency contacts in Korea, medical facilities for foreigners, lost item services, and helpful hotlines—everything you need to travel with confidence.

Save this page or screenshot the key numbers before your trip. You never know when you’ll need them!

🚨 Emergency Numbers in Korea (Save These!)

These are the most important numbers to know. All emergency calls in Korea are free, even from public phones or mobile phones without SIM cards.

Police Emergency

📞 112

For crimes, accidents, or any safety concerns
English support available
Works from any phone (even without SIM)

Fire & Medical Emergency

📞 119

For fires, medical emergencies, or ambulance services
English support available
Free ambulance service

Infectious Disease Emergency

📞 1339

For questions about contagious diseases (COVID-19, flu, etc.)
Medical advice hotline
Multilingual support available

Pro Tip: Save these numbers in your phone under “Korea Emergency” so you can find them quickly if needed.

📞 Korea Travel Hotline: 1330

The 1330 Korea Travel Hotline is a lifesaver for tourists. It’s a 24/7 tourist information and complaint center run by the Korea Tourism Organization.

📞 +82-2-1330 (from within Korea, just dial 1330)

Available Languages:

Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian

What They Can Help With:
✅ Tourist attraction information
✅ Transportation directions
✅ Hotel recommendations
✅ Restaurant suggestions
✅ Translation assistance
✅ Travel complaints or scams
✅ Lost passport guidance

Website: www.visitkorea.or.kr
(Available in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, French, Spanish, German, Russian)

Real Experience:
I once helped a tourist friend who got lost trying to find Bukchon Hanok Village. They called 1330, and the operator not only gave directions but stayed on the line until they arrived safely. It’s a genuinely helpful service!

🔍 Lost & Found in Korea: LOST 112

Lost your phone, wallet, or passport? Korea has one of the world’s best lost-and-found systems.

📞 182 (from within Korea)
📞 +82-2-182 (international)

LOST 112 Center Details:

📍 Address: 97 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Seoul Police Headquarters)
🌐 Website: www.lost112.go.kr
🗣️ Languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese

How It Works:

Report your lost item online or by phone
Check the database—most items are registered within 24 hours
Pick up from the nearest police station (bring ID)

What You Can Find:

Phones, wallets, passports
Bags, cameras, laptops
Items left on buses, subways, taxis
Even umbrellas and clothing!

Pro Tip: Koreans are incredibly honest about returning lost items. I’ve personally recovered a lost wallet and phone through this system. Don’t give up hope—check LOST 112 daily!

📚 Directory Assistance & Local Information

Need a phone number or area code?

📞 114 (from within Korea)

Directory assistance service
Helps you find business phone numbers, addresses
English support available

For International Calling Codes:
🌐 Website: www.countrycode.org

🏥 Medical Facilities for International Travelers

Korea has world-class healthcare, and many major hospitals have International Medical Centers with English-speaking staff and translators.

All hospitals below offer:
✅ Multilingual staff (English, Chinese, Russian, etc.)
✅ International insurance acceptance
✅ Appointment booking assistance
✅ Interpretation services
✅ Follow-up care coordination

Seoul Hospitals

1. Asan Medical Center (서울아산병원)

One of Korea’s largest and most advanced hospitals.

📍 Address: 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
📞 Phone:

English: +82-2-3010-5001
Chinese: +82-2-3010-7439
Japanese: +82-2-3010-7944
Russian: +82-2-3010-7946
Mongolian: +82-2-3010-7453
Arabic: +82-2-3010-7941
Vietnamese: +82-2-3010-2486

🌐 Website: amc.seoul.kr
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed weekends/holidays)

Nearest Station: Pungnaptoseong Station (Line 8), 5-minute walk

2. Severance Hospital (세브란스병원)

Prestigious hospital affiliated with Yonsei University.

📍 Address: 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
📞 Phone: +82-2-2228-5800 (English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Arabic)
🌐 Website: sev.severance.healthcare
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed weekends/holidays)

Nearest Station: Sinchon Station (Line 2)

3. Samsung Medical Center (삼성서울병원)

Top-tier hospital in Gangnam area.

📍 Address: 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
📞 Phone:

English: +82-2-3410-0200
Chinese: +82-2-3410-0409
Russian: +82-2-2148-7549
Mongolian: +82-2-3410-1276
Arabic: +82-2-3410-6632

🌐 Website: www.samsunghospital.com
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed weekends/holidays)

Nearest Station: Irwon Station (Line 7)

4. Seoul National University Hospital (서울대학교병원)

Korea’s leading teaching hospital.

📍 Address: 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
📞 Phone: +82-2-2072-0505 (Korean, English, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Mongolian)
📞 Emergency: +82-10-8831-2890
🌐 Website: www.snuh.org
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM / Sat 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Closed Sun/holidays)

Nearest Station: Hyehwa Station (Line 4)

5. Catholic University Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital (서울성모병원)

Excellent international patient care in Gangnam area.

📍 Address: 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
📞 Phone: +82-2-2258-5745~5746 (English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Arabic)
🌐 Website: www.cmcseoul.or.kr
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Lunch 12:00-1:30 PM, Closed weekends/holidays)

⚠️ Note: Register at reception 30 minutes before closing

Nearest Station: Seoul National University of Education Station (Line 3)

6. Gangnam Severance Hospital (강남세브란스병원)

Modern facility in the heart of Gangnam.

📍 Address: 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
📞 Phone: +82-2-2019-3600 (Korean, English), +82-2-2019-3693 (Russian)
🌐 Website: gs.severance.healthcare
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed weekends/holidays)

Nearest Station: Gangnam Station (Line 2)

7. Korea University Medical Center (Anam Campus) (고려대학교 의료원)

Trusted hospital in northern Seoul.

📍 Address: 73 Goryeodae-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
📞 Phone:

English: +82-2-920-5677
Russian: +82-2-920-6960
Mongolian: +82-2-920-6795
Arabic: +82-2-920-6958

🌐 Website: www.anam.kumc.co.kr
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed weekends/holidays)

Nearest Station: Anam Station (Line 6)

8. Kyung Hee University Medical Center (경희대학교 의료원)

Traditional + modern medicine options.

📍 Address: 23 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
📞 Phone: +82-2-958-9644, 9477 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian)
🌐 Website: www.khmc.or.kr
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Closed weekends/holidays)

Nearest Station: Hoegi Station (Line 1)

Hospitals Outside Seoul

9. Gachon University Gil Medical Center (가천대학교 길병원) – Incheon

📍 Address: 21 Namdong-daero 774beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon
📞 Phone:

English, Mongolian: +82-32-460-3213
Russian: +82-2-460-9074
Chinese: +82-32-460-9069

🌐 Website: www.gilhospital.com
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed weekends/holidays)

Best For: Travelers flying into/out of Incheon Airport

10. Kyungpook National University Hospital (경북대학교병원) – Daegu

📍 Address: 130 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu
📞 Phone: +82-53-200-6114 (English)
🌐 Website: www.knuh.kr
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Lunch 12:30-1:30 PM, Closed weekends/holidays)

⚠️ Note: Register 1 hour before closing

11. Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital (인제대학교 백병원) – Busan

📍 Address: 875 Haeun-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan
📞 Phone: +82-51-797-0566 (Korean, English, Chinese, Russian)
🌐 Website: www.paik.ac.kr
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM (Closed weekends/holidays)

Best For: Beach travelers in Haeundae area

12. Inha University Hospital (인하대학교병원) – Incheon

📍 Address: 27 Inhang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon
📞 Phone: +82-32-890-2080/2090 (English, Chinese), +82-32-890-2095 (Russian)
🌐 Website: www.inha.com
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM (Closed weekends/holidays)

13. Wonkwang University Hospital (원광대학교병원) – Iksan (Jeonbuk)

📍 Address: 895 Muwang-ro, Iksan, Jeonbuk
📞 Phone: +82-63-859-0122 (Korean, English, Chinese, Russian, Mongolian)
🌐 Website: www.wkuh.org
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed weekends/holidays)

14. Catholic University St. Vincent’s Hospital (가톨릭대학교 성빈센트병원) – Suwon

📍 Address: 93 Jungbu-daero, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do
📞 Phone: +82-31-249-8016 (English), +82-31-249-8018 (Russian)
🌐 Website: global.wkuh.org
🕒 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed weekends/holidays)

💊 What to Know About Healthcare in Korea

Healthcare Costs:

Korea’s medical care is affordable compared to Western countries, even without insurance. A basic doctor’s visit costs around ₩20,000-50,000 ($15-40 USD).

Pharmacies:

Look for the green cross sign (⚕️). Most pharmacists speak basic English and can help with minor issues like colds, headaches, or allergies.

Travel Insurance:

Highly recommended! While Korean healthcare is affordable, serious emergencies or hospitalization can still be expensive. Most international hospitals accept foreign insurance.

Prescription Medications:

Bring a copy of your prescription in English. Some medications available over-the-counter in your country may require a prescription in Korea.

🇰🇷 Korean Embassy & Consular Services

If you lose your passport, need legal help, or face serious issues, contact your country’s embassy.

Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
🌐 Website: www.mofa.go.kr (Korean, English)

Find Your Embassy in Korea:
Most embassies are located in Seoul’s Jongno-gu or Yongsan-gu districts. Google “[Your Country] Embassy Seoul” for contact info.

📱 Useful Apps for Travelers in Korea

Download these before your trip:

✅ Naver Map – Better than Google Maps in Korea
✅ Papago – Naver’s translation app (better than Google Translate for Korean)
✅ KakaoTalk – Korea’s main messaging app
✅ Subway Korea – Seoul/Busan metro navigation
✅ Visit Korea – Official tourism app

🆘 Emergency Situations: What to Do

If You’re Injured or Sick:

Call 119 for an ambulance (free service)
Go to the nearest hospital emergency room
Bring your passport and travel insurance info

If You’re a Victim of Crime:

Call 112 (police emergency)
Ask for an English-speaking officer
File a police report (required for insurance claims)
Contact your embassy if serious

If You Lose Your Passport:

Call 1330 (Korea Travel Hotline) for guidance
Visit your country’s embassy with:

Police report (from LOST 112)
ID photo
Proof of citizenship (driver’s license, birth certificate copy)

Apply for emergency travel document

If You’re Scammed or Overcharged:

Call 1330 to file a complaint
Keep all receipts and evidence
Korea Tourism Organization will investigate

Final Tips for Safe Travel in Korea

✅ Save emergency numbers in your phone before arriving
✅ Keep a photo of your passport on your phone
✅ Carry your hotel’s business card (in Korean) for taxi drivers
✅ Download offline maps in case you lose internet
✅ Register with your embassy (optional but recommended for long stays)
✅ Learn basic Korean phrases: “도와주세요” (dowa-juseyo) = “Help!”

Korea is one of the safest countries in the world for travelers. Violent crime is rare, and locals are generally helpful to foreigners. Still, it’s always smart to be prepared!

Have you used any of these services in Korea? Share your experience in the comments!

Korea Emergency Numbers & Essential Services for Travelers (2025 Guide)