What to do in an emergency
- Joanne Colman-Bown
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Planning your dream trip to South Korea? Amazing food, vibrant streets, K-pop everywhere — it’s the holiday of dreams. But even the best trips can have a little hiccup. Lost your passport? Twisted your ankle on a hiking trail in Jeju? Or maybe you're just completely and utterly... lost? Don't worry — it happens to the best of us. And the good news is: Korea is super safe, and help is always nearby. Just save this guide on your phone, and you'll feel 100x more prepared, promise.
☎️ Emergency Numbers You NEED to Know
Let’s start with the basics. These are the emergency numbers in South Korea — save them in your phone now:
119 – Ambulance 🚑 & Fire 🚒
112 – Police 🚓
1339 – Medical help line in English (24/7) 🏥
1345 – Immigration hotline (in case of visa/passport issues) 🛂
Operators at 119 and 1339 often speak basic English, Chinese, or Japanese — but don’t rely on that alone! Translation apps help a lot (more on that below 👇).
🚑 Medical Emergency? Here's What to Do
If you're hurt or feeling unwell, don’t hesitate to call 119 for an ambulance. It’s free, fast, and reliable.
Need to find an English-speaking hospital or clinic? Try:
Korea Medical Assistance (K-MediCall) – Great for help finding hospitals, translation support, and general advice.
1339 – Korea Centres for Disease Control hotline, available in English.
💡 TIP: Pharmacies are everywhere, but staff may not speak much English. Look for one near a big hospital for a better chance of finding English help.
👮♀️ Need the Police? Call 112
Whether your wallet has gone missing in Hongdae or you feel unsafe, the police are generally helpful and polite. Just call 112.
🧠 If you’re struggling to explain the situation:
Use Papago or Google Translate
Show photos or text messages — visuals help a LOT here!
😱 Lost Your Passport?
Don’t panic — it’s more common than you think. Follow these steps:
Go to the nearest police station and report it lost.
Contact your embassy or consulate in Seoul to arrange a temporary replacement.
Here’s a full list of foreign embassies in Korea 🧳They’ll usually require:
A police report
Passport photos
ID if you have it (like a driver's license or digital copy of your passport)
📲 Apps That Can Save the Day
Let’s talk lifesavers. Download these before or during your trip:
🦜 Papago – Best app for Korean-English translation, especially for signs and menus.
🗺️ KakaoMap or Naver Map – Way more accurate than Google Maps in Korea.
📢 Emergency Ready App – Government app that gives emergency alerts, evacuation info, and safety tips (also on iOS).
📖 Handy Korean Phrases to Memorise (or Screenshot!)
Koreans are super friendly, and many young people speak some English — but these phrases can really help in a pinch:
도와주세요! (Dowajuseyo!) – Help me!
긴급 상황이에요 (Gingeup sanghwang-ieyo) – It’s an emergency
병원에 가고 싶어요 (Byeongwon-e gago sipeoyo) – I want to go to the hospital
영어 하세요? (Yeongeo haseyo?) – Do you speak English?
길을 잃었어요 (Gireul ilheosseoyo) – I’m lost
💡 Final Tips for Staying Safe
Always carry a copy of your passport and visa (digital or printed)
Keep a local emergency contact or hotel card in your pocket
Save your hotel’s address in Korean on your phone — taxis often need it written in Hangeul
And if you’re really stuck? Just ask a local! Koreans are famous for helping tourists — they might even walk you to your destination 🥹❤️
Travel smart and enjoy Korea to the fullest — with peace of mind! 🧳Need help planning or just want a friendly voice on the line?📞 Call Koreana Travel at 03303 412131 or 01284 277260, and we’ll help you prep like a pro.
