119 in Korea: Emergency Number Guide for Foreign Visitors

119 is Korea’s emergency number for fire, rescue and ambulance services. If you are visiting or living in South Korea and need urgent help, you can dial 119 from a phone in Korea. Seoul’s official foreign-resident guidance also states that interpreters are available for foreign nationals who do not speak Korean and that the service operates 24 hours a day.

When should a foreign visitor call 119?

Call 119 when you need an ambulance, fire response or rescue assistance. For police emergencies, Korea uses 112. If your situation is not urgent and you mainly need travel information or interpretation, the Korea Tourism Organization operates the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline.

Can I call 119 if I do not speak Korean?

Yes. Seoul Metropolitan Government’s official medical-facilities guide states that interpreters are available for foreign nationals who do not speak Korean. It also lists English, Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and Vietnamese for hospital information, illness consultation, first-aid guidance and patient interpretation.

When the call connects, start with the most important information: your location, what happened, and whether someone needs an ambulance. If you know only the English name of your hotel or attraction, say it clearly and use a map app to read or show the address.

Useful phrases

What information should you prepare?

If possible, have the Korean address visible in NAVER Map or another map app. Give the dispatcher the building or hotel name, street address, floor or room number when relevant, and a phone number where you can be reached. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions while help is on the way.

Does an ambulance cost money?

Seoul’s official English guide states that the 119 ambulance service is provided free of charge. This does not mean that hospital examination or treatment is automatically free; medical charges are separate from the emergency transport service.

119 Safety Call registration

Korea’s National Fire Agency also operates 119 Safety Call (119안심콜). People can pre-register relevant personal information so responders can receive useful information when a registered person calls 119. The National Fire Agency specifically includes foreigners among people who may use the service. This is more relevant to residents than short-term travelers.

Can I use 119 outside Korea?

The National Fire Agency separately operates emergency medical consultation for Korean nationals overseas. That is a different service from dialing 119 while physically in Korea. Visitors in Korea should use the domestic emergency number 119.

Quick tip for travelers

Save 119, 112, 1330 and 02-120 in your phone before your trip. Also save your accommodation’s Korean address as a screenshot or note. In an urgent situation, exact location information is often more useful than a long explanation.

Frequently asked questions

Is 119 the same as 911?

It fills a similar emergency role for fire, rescue and ambulance response in Korea, but Korea’s police emergency number is 112.

Can I call 119 from a foreign SIM?

If your phone is connected to a Korean mobile network and can make emergency calls, dial 119 directly. If your device has connectivity problems, ask hotel, station or store staff to help place the call.

Should I call 120 instead?

120 is a Seoul city information service, not a substitute for emergency dispatch. Use 119 when urgent ambulance, rescue or fire response is needed.

Official sources

• National Fire Agency — 119 Safety Call
• Seoul Metropolitan Government — Medical Facilities / Fire and Emergency 119
• VISITKOREA — Emergency numbers FAQ

Featured photo: Paul Flatten / Unsplash. Illustrative only.

Korea Practical Guide is an independent information website and is not affiliated with the National Fire Agency or Seoul Metropolitan Government.