Police 112, fire and ambulance 119. Calling 119 without Korean gets you a three-way call with an interpreter, and the public 119 ambulance ride itself is free - the hospital that follows is not. 1339 is the medical information line for foreign visitors and 1330 the round-the-clock tourist helpline.
Emergency numbers
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 112 | Theft, assault, anything criminal. |
| Fire and ambulance | 119 | The public emergency medical service. |
| Emergency medical information for foreign visitors | 1339 | Which hospital, and whether you need one. |
| Tourist helpline | 1330 | Round the clock, in English; also handles complaints about taxi and restaurant overcharging. |
| Tourist complaint centre | +82-2-1800-9008 |
- You do not need Korean to call 119. The operator connects a three-way call with an interpreter - English, Japanese and Chinese are covered.
- The 119 ambulance ride is free. What follows at the hospital is not: examination, tests, treatment and medication are all billed.
- Police stations mostly have no English-speaking officer on duty, but free interpretation is provided in an emergency.
- Travel insurance is not an entry condition but is close to essential - an uninsured foreigner pays the full cost of care.
See the Health section for the Seoul hospitals with round-the-clock English-speaking coordinators.
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