Welcome to South Korea! While you’re busy planning your itinerary of palaces, K-pop spots, and delicious food tours, it’s crucial to also plan for your safety. Knowing who to call in an emergency can turn a potential crisis into a manageable situation. As your trusted editors at The Korea Hub, we’ve compiled the definitive 2026 guide to the most important phone numbers every traveler and resident should save. From medical emergencies to lost passports, this list covers the essential contacts that will give you peace of mind during your travels. Let’s dive into the top 10 numbers you absolutely must have on hand.
1. 112: National Police Agency
The most critical number to remember, 112 is the universal emergency number for police assistance in South Korea. This should be your first call for any situation involving crime, immediate threats to your safety, or to report a serious accident. The service operates 24/7 nationwide and is equipped to handle calls from foreigners. When you dial 112, an operator will connect you to a translator if needed, ensuring clear communication. Be prepared to state your location as accurately as possible; using a mapping app to find the address or a nearby prominent landmark is incredibly helpful. This is the equivalent of 911 in the US or 999 in the UK for all police matters.
Insider Tip: Download a Korean map app like Naver Maps or Kakao Maps. If you need to call 112, you can give the operator the exact address or building name shown on the app, which is far more effective than trying to describe your location.
2. 119: Fire Department & Medical Emergencies
For any fire, medical emergency, or rescue situation, dial 119 immediately. This number connects you to the National Fire Agency, which handles ambulance services and emergency medical response in addition to fires. Whether you’ve witnessed a car accident, are experiencing severe medical symptoms like chest pain, or need urgent first aid, 119 is the correct number. Similar to the 112 service, they offer interpretation services for multiple languages, so don’t hesitate to call even if you don’t speak Korean. The response times are typically very fast in urban areas. This single number covers what would often be separate services in other countries, making it simple to remember in a stressful situation.
Insider Tip: Before your trip, write down any critical medical information (allergies, conditions, medications) in both English and Korean on a card or in your phone’s notes. This can be a lifesaver for paramedics if you’re unable to communicate clearly.
3. 1330: Korea Travel Helpline
This is a traveler’s best friend. The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline is a 24/7, multilingual service run by the Korea Tourism Organization. It’s your go-to number for almost any non-emergency question you might have. Need directions? Looking for a specific type of restaurant? Unsure about subway operating hours? The friendly operators can assist with travel information, interpretation services, and even help you file complaints about tourism-related issues. They act as a vital bridge between you and local services, often helping translate a conversation with a taxi driver or a shop owner. It’s a free service (standard call charges apply) and is an invaluable resource for ensuring your trip goes smoothly.
Insider Tip: If you’re having trouble communicating, you can call 1330 and ask the operator to speak directly with the Korean person you’re with (e.g., a taxi driver or hotel staff) for a three-way translation call.
4. 1339: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)
In a post-pandemic world, health awareness is paramount. The 1339 number connects you directly to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). This is your primary contact for any concerns about infectious diseases, public health alerts, or quarantine regulations. If you develop symptoms like a high fever or severe cough, or if you believe you have been exposed to a contagious illness, this is the number to call for official guidance. Operators can provide up-to-date information on current health advisories, direct you to designated medical facilities, and explain testing procedures. It is an essential number for responsible and health-conscious travel in 2026.
Insider Tip: Before calling, check the official KDCA website for the latest public health announcements in English. This can often answer your question without needing to make a call and keeps the lines free for more urgent queries.
5. 1345: Immigration Contact Center
For any questions related to visas, residency, or immigration status, the 1345 Immigration Contact Center is your official source. Run by the Ministry of Justice, this service provides multilingual counseling on a wide range of immigration-related topics. Whether you need to know the requirements for extending your tourist visa, have a question about your Alien Registration Card (ARC), or need to report a lost passport and understand the next steps, the experts at 1345 can help. The service is available on weekdays from 9 am to 10 pm. It’s a crucial number for long-term residents and for tourists who encounter visa or passport issues during their stay.
Insider Tip: Call volumes can be high, especially in the morning. Try calling in the mid-afternoon for a better chance of getting through quickly. Have your passport or ARC number ready before you call.
6. 110: Government Call Center
Think of 110 as the general information hotline for all government services in South Korea. If you have a problem and you’re not sure which specific department to contact, 110 is an excellent starting point. Operators can assist with civil complaints, policy questions, and can direct you to the appropriate agency for your issue, whether it’s a consumer rights problem, a question about public utilities, or a labor dispute. They offer multilingual support and can help you navigate the often-complex Korean bureaucracy. While 1330 is for tourism, 110 is for broader civil and administrative matters, making it particularly useful for expats and long-term visitors facing daily life challenges.
Insider Tip: This service is also available via online chat and text message through the ‘110 Government Call Center’ mobile app or website, which can be easier than a phone call if you have a complex query.
7. 182: Missing Persons & Stolen Items Report
While 112 is for immediate emergencies, 182 is a specialized police line dedicated to non-urgent reports of missing persons or lost/stolen property. If you realize your wallet is gone, your phone has been stolen, or you need to report a child or person missing in a non-life-threatening situation, call 182. This directs you to the correct department without tying up the 112 emergency line. They can guide you on how to file a police report, which is often necessary for travel insurance claims. They can also connect your report to the national lost and found system. It’s a more efficient way to handle these specific, stressful, but not immediately dangerous, situations.
Insider Tip: Before calling, gather all relevant details: a description of the person or item, the last known location and time, and any serial numbers or identifying features for electronics or cards. This will speed up the reporting process significantly.
8. 120: Dasan Call Center (Seoul-Specific)
If you are staying in Seoul, the 120 Dasan Call Center is an incredibly powerful resource. This hotline is exclusively for life in Seoul and provides information on everything from public transportation schedules and water supply issues to event information and city regulations. The operators are famous for their ability to answer almost any question about Seoul. They offer translation services and can even book certain city-run facilities for you. If you’re trying to figure out the late-night bus schedule, find the nearest open pharmacy, or report a broken streetlight, 120 is the number to call. It’s a testament to Seoul’s commitment to being a convenient and foreigner-friendly city.
Insider Tip: The Dasan Center also operates via a mobile app (‘Seoul Smart Complaint Report’), allowing you to submit photos and location data for issues like potholes or illegal dumping, making you a proactive contributor to the city’s upkeep!
9. 02-3210-0404: Diplomatic Emergency Contact
This is a number every foreign national should have: the emergency contact for your country’s embassy. While the number provided (02-3210-0404) is the general contact for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Seoul which can help, it is vital to have your specific embassy’s number. Embassies can assist in dire situations such as a lost or stolen passport, a serious accident or illness, or if you are arrested. They cannot provide legal advice or money, but they can provide a list of local lawyers, contact your family, and issue emergency travel documents. Before you travel, look up the 24/7 emergency contact number for your embassy in Seoul and save it to your phone under a clear name.
Insider Tip: Register your trip with your country’s government before you leave (e.g., the US STEP program). This makes it much easier for your embassy to find and assist you in a large-scale emergency.
10. 129: Health & Welfare Call Center
For non-emergency health and welfare concerns, dial 129. This number connects you to a government-run center that provides counseling on a wide range of topics, including public health insurance, welfare benefits, mental health support, and emergency social services. While a tourist may not need this for insurance questions, it’s an invaluable resource for information on medical facilities for specific needs or for accessing mental health support, which can be crucial when you’re far from home. For long-term residents, this line is essential for navigating the Korean National Health Insurance system and other social safety nets. It provides a compassionate and informative first point of contact for complex health situations.
Insider Tip: If you are feeling overwhelmed or experiencing a mental health crisis, this is a safe and confidential number to call for guidance and to be connected with appropriate support services available to foreigners.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I need a Korean SIM card to call these numbers?
No. Emergency numbers like 112 and 119 can be dialed from any phone, including foreign phones that are roaming or even phones without a SIM card at all. For non-emergency numbers like 1330 or 1345, you will need a working phone service (either a Korean SIM or a roaming plan).
Q2: What if I don’t speak any Korean?
Don’t worry. The major emergency and tourist hotlines (112, 119, 1330, 1339) are all equipped with three-way interpretation services available in English and other major languages. Simply state your preferred language (e.g., “English, please”) and wait to be connected with a translator.
Q3: Are these calls free?
Calls to the primary emergency numbers, 112 and 119, are always free of charge from any phone. Calls to other informational hotlines (like 1330, 110, etc.) are typically charged at a standard local call rate, which is very inexpensive.
Q4: What are the absolute most important numbers to remember?
If you can only remember two, memorize 112 for Police and 119 for Fire/Medical. For all other non-emergency travel questions, remember 1330, the Korea Travel Helpline. With these three numbers, you can handle the vast majority of situations you might encounter.
Staying safe is the first step to an amazing adventure. By saving these numbers in your phone, you’re preparing for a worry-free trip to South Korea in 2026. Travel smart, stay safe, and enjoy everything this incredible country has to offer!
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