Last checked: October 4, 2026. Save these Korea help numbers before you need them: 112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance, and 1330 for tourism information and interpretation. 1330 is not an emergency dispatch line.
Which number should I call?
| Number | Use it for | What to say or share |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Police emergency | “English please” or “Interpreter please”; describe immediate danger and location |
| 119 | Fire, ambulance, life-threatening medical emergency | Give the address, nearby landmark or location pin; describe the emergency briefly |
| 1330 | Tourism information, interpretation and non-life-threatening travel help | Explain the travel issue; use the current official call or chat options |
For an immediate threat to life or safety, call 112 or 119 rather than waiting for a travel hotline. VISITKOREA advises visitors who do not speak Korean to say “English please” or “Interpreter please” when connected. Give a nearby building name, station exit, road address or GPS location if you can.
Prepare before an emergency
- Save your accommodation address in Korean and English, plus a map pin.
- Keep your phone charged and know how to show your location in your map app.
- If you are on a mountain trail, note the trail entrance, route name or nearby marker; see our Bukhansan planning guide.
- For non-urgent travel interpretation or tourism questions, check the official 1330 service options.
VISITKOREA also describes multilingual emergency-reporting apps, including Baro Emergency Reporting. App availability, language support and functions can change; check the official international visitor safety page before relying on an app. In an immediate emergency, use the phone number first if you can.
For lost property on public transport—not a life-threatening emergency—our Seoul subway lost-and-found guide explains the first steps.
What to do when you call
- Say whether you need police (112) or fire/ambulance (119); if uncertain and someone is in immediate danger, explain the situation.
- State your location first: address, building, station, exit number, trail entrance or visible landmark.
- Describe what happened and whether anyone is injured or in danger.
- Say “English please” or “Interpreter please” if language support is needed, as VISITKOREA advises.
- Stay on the line and follow the operator’s directions.
If you cannot speak, the official visitor safety page describes multilingual text and image reporting options through the Baro Emergency Reporting App. Check current availability before a trip and do not assume every app has live hospital directions. For a lost item with no immediate danger, contact the transit operator or use the appropriate lost-and-found process instead.
Save your accommodation’s Korean address before heading out. In a crowded area, move to a safer spot if you can do so without increasing the danger, then share a location pin or nearby landmark.
Photographs are credited to their Unsplash contributors; use is subject to the Unsplash License. Captions identify when a photo is contextual rather than documentary.
Sources: VISITKOREA Disaster Safety Services for International Visitors and VISITKOREA emergency FAQ (checked October 4, 2026).