Seoul 120 Dasan Call Center: Foreign-Language Help for Travelers & Residents
Last verified: October 10, 2026 · Primary source: 120 Dasan Call Foundation.
Seoul’s 120 Dasan Call Center is one of the most useful public services for foreigners who need help with everyday life in Seoul. The foreign-language line can explain transportation, Seoul city services, tourism, public facilities and administrative procedures, and it can provide three-way interpretation when needed.
How to call 120 in a foreign language
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Call 02-120 in Korea. |
| 2 | Choose 9 for foreign-language service. |
| 3 | Choose 1 English, 2 Chinese, 3 Japanese, 4 Vietnamese or 5 Mongolian. |
The official 120 Dasan Call Foundation lists foreign-language hours as Monday–Friday, 09:00–18:00, excluding weekends and public holidays. From overseas, the listed number is +82-2-731-2120.
What can 120 help a foreign visitor with?
The official service scope includes public transportation information, lost-property guidance, Seoul tourism and event information, water and city administration questions, use of public facilities and reservation assistance. If language is the problem, the counselor can also provide three-way interpretation.
Three-way interpretation: why it matters
Three-way interpretation means the 120 counselor can help bridge a conversation between you and a Korean-speaking person. This can be useful when speaking with a taxi driver, public facility, local office or other Seoul service. It is not an emergency dispatch service; use 119 for fire, rescue or ambulance emergencies and 112 for police emergencies.
Can I text instead of calling?
The English 120 page says that if you cannot reach the helpline, you can send a text message to 02-120 with your question and the time you would like assistance during the operating hours. Availability and response method can depend on the inquiry.
How much does it cost?
The official 120 service states that there is no separate information-service surcharge; normal telephone charges apply according to your carrier and plan. For travelers using an overseas SIM or roaming plan, your mobile carrier may charge international or roaming rates, so check your plan before calling.
Useful examples
- You are unsure which Seoul bus or subway route to take.
- You need help reporting an item lost on public transportation.
- You want to ask about a Seoul public facility or reservation.
- You need a counselor to interpret a practical conversation in Korean.
- You want to report a Seoul taxi service issue and have the vehicle’s full license plate number.
120 vs 1330 vs 119
| Service | Best for |
|---|---|
| 02-120 + 9 | Seoul city information, daily-life help, three-way interpretation |
| 1330 | Korea-wide travel information and traveler assistance |
| 119 | Urgent fire, rescue and ambulance response |
Official source
Featured photo: Ciaran O’Brien / Unsplash. Illustrative only.
Korea Practical Guide is independent and is not affiliated with the 120 Dasan Call Foundation.
