Korea Emergency Numbers for Foreigners: 119, 112 and the…

When something goes wrong in a new country, the hardest part is often the first 10 seconds: which number do I call, and will anyone understand me? Korea has a small set of short emergency numbers, and most of them now offer free interpretation. This guide explains who to call, what to say, and how the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS, the agency that runs national disaster and safety systems) ties these services together.

Keep these four numbers somewhere you can reach in a panic: 119, 112, 1345, and 1339. Save them in your phone before you ever need them.

What is the main emergency number for foreigners in Korea?

Korea has two primary emergency numbers. Dial 119 for fire, ambulance, rescue, and urgent medical situations. Dial 112 for police, crime, or any threat to your safety. Both are free, work 24 hours, and connect you to a free interpreter if you do not speak Korean. You do not need a Korean SIM card to call them.

These two numbers cover almost every life-threatening situation. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety coordinates the national 119 and disaster-response systems, while the Korean National Police Agency runs 112. You can read about national safety policy at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

A few things foreign residents often get wrong:

• 119 also handles ambulances. There is no separate ambulance number. Fire stations dispatch emergency medical teams.
• Calls are free. Even a phone with no plan, no credit, or no SIM can dial 119 and 112.
• You can call, not just speak Korean. Say “English” and wait. Staff will bring an interpreter onto the line.

If you are still setting up life in Korea, getting a local phone and bank account early makes every emergency easier to handle. Korea phone plan foreigner setup

How does the 119 ambulance English service work?

The Korea 119 ambulance English service uses three-way interpretation. You call 119, say your language, and a dispatcher conferences in a live translator. You then describe the emergency, your location, and symptoms while the interpreter relays everything. The 119 line covers fire, rescue, ambulance dispatch, and emergency medical advice, all free of charge, 24 hours a day.

119 is run under the National Fire Agency, which sits within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety structure. When you call:

1. Dial 119 from any phone.
2. State your language clearly, for example “English” or “Vietnamese.”
3. Wait a few seconds while the dispatcher adds an interpreter.
4. Give your location first. A building name, an address, or a nearby landmark or subway exit all help.
5. Describe symptoms plainly: chest pain, heavy bleeding, not breathing, high fever.

The 119 emergency service provides fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services to all residents, including foreign nationals, with multilingual interpretation support available on request.

If you can, send someone to wait outside to flag the ambulance. Korean apartment complexes and officetels (mixed residential-office buildings) can be hard to find. Learn more about navigating addresses and transport from the Government24 civil services portal. Korea address system guide foreigners

When should I call 112 instead of 119?

Call 112 for anything involving police: theft, assault, harassment, fraud, a traffic accident with injuries, domestic violence, or feeling unsafe. The Korea 112 police foreigner guide rule is simple: crime and personal safety go to 112, while fire and medical emergencies go to 119. The 112 line also offers interpretation, so you can report a crime in your own language.

The Korean National Police Agency operates 112 nationwide. For non-urgent police matters, theft reports, or questions, you can also use the police information line. Official information is published by the Korean National Police Agency.

Useful points for an emergency hotline expats Korea scenario:

• Traffic accidents: call both 112 (police report) and 119 (if anyone is hurt). You will need the police report for insurance.
• Lost or stolen passport: report to 112 or a local police station, then contact your embassy and the Korea Immigration Service.
• Silent reporting: if you cannot speak safely, 112 supports text and app-based reporting in some regions.

Keep your ARC (Alien Registration Card, your foreign resident ID) on you. Police may ask for it, and it speeds up any report.

What numbers help with visas, crisis support, and health questions?

Beyond 119 and 112, foreign residents have dedicated helplines. Call 1345 (Immigration Contact Center) for visa, ARC, and stay questions in about 20 languages. Call 1339 for 24-hour medical consultation. Call 1366 for women’s violence and crisis support. Call 1577-1366 (Danuri) for marriage migrants. These provide Korea foreigner crisis support contact options beyond the police and fire lines.

Here is a quick reference table:

The 1345 line is run by the Korea Immigration Service and is the fastest way to confirm visa rules without visiting an office. For health coverage and which hospitals accept your insurance, check the National Health Insurance Service. If you are an F-6 marriage migrant or F-5 permanent resident, the Danuri helpline is tailored to your situation. NHIS foreigner health insurance guide

The Immigration Contact Center can also confirm whether your ARC details are current, which matters if your address changed. For legal text in English, you can search statutes at the Ministry of Government Legislation.

How does the MOIS Emergency Ready App help foreigners?

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety publishes the Emergency Ready App, a free English-language app for disasters and emergencies in Korea. It shows nearby hospitals, pharmacies, and shelters, gives first-aid instructions, and explains what to do during earthquakes, fires, or typhoons. It is built for foreign residents and tourists who need English guidance fast.

Key features worth setting up in advance:

• Nearby facilities: find the closest emergency room, AED, or shelter using GPS.
• Disaster alerts: understand the Korean emergency text alerts (jaenan mun자, disaster SMS) that arrive in Korean.
• First aid guides: step-by-step CPR and bleeding-control instructions in English.
• One-touch dialing: quick links to 119, 112, and 1345.

Download it from your app store before an emergency, not during one. MOIS also runs the national “Safety Korea” portal, and you can find disaster and safety resources via the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. For broader civil services, the Government24 portal offers English menus.

What happens at a Korean hospital emergency room as a foreigner?

For the hospital emergency room foreigner procedure Korea, go to an eungeupsil (emergency room) at a general hospital, or arrive by 119 ambulance. At reception, show your passport or ARC and your insurance card. Staff triage you by severity, not arrival order. You pay a deposit or settle the bill at discharge. Keep all receipts for NHIS or private insurance reimbursement.

What to expect step by step:

1. Arrival: by ambulance (119) or on your own to a hospital marked 응급 (emergency).
2. Registration: present ID and any insurance details. International clinics at large hospitals often have English staff.
3. Triage: nurses assess urgency. Critical cases are seen first, so a long wait can mean your case is stable.
4. Treatment and tests: doctors may order blood work, X-rays, or scans.
5. Payment: ER visits cost more than regular outpatient care. With NHIS, you pay a reduced share; without it, you pay full price up front.

If you are enrolled in national health insurance, much of the cost is covered. Confirm your status and reimbursement rules with the National Health Insurance Service. Some university hospitals run International Healthcare Centers with English-speaking coordinators, which can smooth the whole visit.

Keep your insurance and ARC information saved digitally, so a friend can help if you cannot speak. Setting up NHIS, a bank account, and your ARC early gives you a safety net before any crisis hits.