Emergency Contacts in South Korea for International Patients

Emergency Contacts in South Korea for International Patients

Introduction

Knowing how to get emergency help in South Korea is an important part of preparing for medical treatment, a business trip, vacation, or extended stay. For international patients, an emergency can feel particularly stressful when there is a language barrier or uncertainty about which number to call.

South Korea has dedicated emergency services for police, fire, ambulance, and other forms of assistance. The most important numbers to remember are 119 for fire and medical emergencies and 112 for police emergencies. Official Korean tourism guidance also advises international visitors who do not speak Korean to request an English-speaking operator or interpreter when calling emergency services.

For patients receiving treatment in Busan, keeping these numbers available on your phone can make it easier to respond quickly if you experience a serious medical problem, accident, or other emergency.

This guide explains the key emergency contacts in South Korea, when to use each service, what international patients should do during a medical emergency, and how to prepare before traveling.

The Most Important Emergency Numbers

119 — Medical, Fire, and Rescue Emergencies

119 is the primary emergency number for fire services, rescue, and ambulance assistance in South Korea. It should be your first choice when someone has a serious medical emergency or requires an ambulance.

Examples include:

• Severe difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Suspected heart attack or stroke
• Serious injury
• Major bleeding
• Severe allergic reaction
• Serious accident
• Fire
• Situations requiring urgent rescue

If you are unsure whether a medical problem requires emergency assistance, consider the severity and speed of the symptoms. When a condition appears life-threatening, seek emergency help rather than waiting for a routine clinic appointment.

112 — Police Emergency

112 is the emergency number for the police in South Korea. Use it when you are experiencing a serious security emergency, crime, violence, or another situation requiring police intervention.

For example, international patients may need to call 112 if they are experiencing:

• Assault or violence
• A serious threat to personal safety
• A dangerous criminal incident
• An immediate security emergency
• Certain serious traffic-related incidents requiring police assistance

For a medical emergency, 119 is generally the more appropriate number.

1330 — Korea Travel Hotline

The 1330 Korea Travel Hotline is designed to assist travelers with tourism-related information and interpretation support. Official VisitKorea information lists the service as available in multiple languages, including Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, and Indonesian.

This service can be useful for international visitors who need help understanding travel-related issues or locating appropriate assistance.

However, 1330 should not replace 119 for a life-threatening medical emergency. If someone needs an ambulance or urgent medical assistance, call 119 directly.

Emergency Medical Care for International Patients

International patients sometimes hesitate to seek emergency treatment because they are unfamiliar with South Korea's healthcare system.

Do not delay urgent care simply because you are a foreign visitor.

If you have a serious medical problem, emergency medical services can be contacted through 119. Large Korean hospitals may also operate international healthcare centers that provide assistance to foreign patients, including interpretation services.

If your condition is serious enough to require an ambulance, contact 119 first rather than spending valuable time trying to arrange transportation yourself.

What to Say When Calling 119

A language barrier can be one of the biggest concerns for international patients.

South Korea's official tourism guidance states that people who do not speak Korean can say “English please” or “Interpreter please” after connecting with emergency services so that an interpreter can assist.

Try to communicate the most important information clearly:

1. What happened
2. Where you are
3. How many people need help
4. Whether the person is conscious
5. Whether they are breathing normally
6. Any major injury or bleeding
7. Your phone number or another way to contact you

If you are staying at a hotel, clinic, hospital, or apartment, provide the full address whenever possible.

Why Your Location Matters

Emergency responders need to know where to send assistance.

International visitors may not know the Korean address of their hotel or accommodation. Before your trip, save your accommodation address in both English and Korean if possible.

You can also:

• Save the location in your phone's map application.
• Keep a screenshot of the address.
• Save the Korean name of your hotel.
• Note the nearest major landmark.
• Keep your hospital's address available.
• Use your smartphone's GPS when appropriate.

Official guidance for international visitors recommends using nearby buildings or smartphone GPS information to help emergency services identify your location quickly.

This is particularly useful in large areas of Busan where visitors may not know the local street names.

Emergency Contacts for Medical Tourists in Busan

Patients traveling to Busan for surgery, cosmetic procedures, dental treatment, rehabilitation, or other healthcare should prepare an emergency contact list before treatment.

Your list should include:

• 119 — ambulance, fire, and rescue emergencies
• 112 — police emergencies
• 1330 — tourism and travel assistance
• Your hospital or clinic
• Your doctor's or medical coordinator's contact information
• Your hotel or accommodation
• Your travel insurance provider
• Your country's embassy or consulate in South Korea

Keep the list somewhere that is easy to access.

It can also be helpful to give a trusted travel companion a copy.

What International Patients Should Carry

If you are receiving medical treatment in South Korea, carry essential medical information with you.

Useful information includes:

• Passport identification
• Emergency contact details
• Blood type if known
• Medication list
• Medication dosages
• Known drug allergies
• Relevant medical conditions
• Recent medical records
• Doctor or hospital contact information
• Insurance information
• Hotel or accommodation address

Do not rely exclusively on your phone. Keep an offline copy of important information in case your battery runs out or you cannot access mobile data.

Emergency Situations After Surgery

Patients who have recently undergone surgery should understand which symptoms require urgent medical attention.

Depending on the procedure, warning signs can include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe or rapidly worsening pain
• Heavy bleeding
• Severe allergic reaction
• Sudden neurological symptoms
• Severe weakness or confusion
• A rapidly worsening condition

The exact warning signs depend on the procedure and the patient's medical history.

Before leaving a Korean hospital or clinic, ask your medical team which symptoms should trigger an emergency call and which symptoms can be handled through a routine follow-up appointment.

If you have been given postoperative emergency instructions, keep them accessible throughout your recovery.

When to Contact Your Hospital Instead

Not every health problem requires an ambulance.

For non-life-threatening concerns, your treating hospital or clinic may be the appropriate first contact.

For example, you may need to contact your healthcare provider if you have:

• A routine medication question
• A scheduled follow-up question
• Mild expected postoperative symptoms
• Questions about wound care
• A concern about an appointment
• A non-urgent side effect

However, do not wait for a clinic response if your symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening.

When in doubt about a potentially life-threatening condition, prioritize emergency medical assistance.

Emergency Departments in South Korea

Hospitals in South Korea may have emergency departments that operate separately from ordinary outpatient clinics.

An emergency department can evaluate patients with serious or sudden medical problems. International patients may also encounter hospitals with international healthcare centers that provide language assistance and other services.

If you are planning medical tourism in Busan, research the location of an appropriate hospital before your procedure.

This is especially useful if you are traveling alone or recovering after treatment.

Ask your clinic:

• Which hospital should I use if I develop an emergency?
• Is there an emergency department nearby?
• Who should I call after clinic hours?
• Does the hospital have international patient support?
• What symptoms require immediate emergency care?

Language Support During an Emergency

You do not need to speak fluent Korean to seek emergency assistance.

Official Korean tourism guidance says that non-Korean speakers can request an English-speaking operator or interpreter when contacting emergency services.

Nevertheless, preparation can make communication faster.

Save simple phrases such as:

• “I need an ambulance.”
• “This is a medical emergency.”
• “I do not speak Korean.”
• “English please.”
• “Interpreter please.”
• “I am at this address.”
• “The patient is unconscious.”
• “The patient is having difficulty breathing.”

If you have difficulty communicating verbally, having the address written in Korean can be extremely helpful.

Emergency Apps for International Visitors

South Korea also provides safety-related digital services for international visitors.

Official VisitKorea guidance published in 2025 highlights the Baro Emergency Reporting App, which supports multiple languages and allows users to report emergencies using text and images. It also describes the Emergency Ready app, which provides safety information in multiple languages and connects users with emergency resources.

Apps can be useful preparation tools, but they should not delay a call to 119 or 112 when immediate assistance is required.

Medical Insurance and Emergency Treatment

International patients should understand their medical insurance before traveling to South Korea.

Depending on the policy, emergency treatment, ambulance transportation, hospitalization, or follow-up care may be covered differently.

Before traveling, check:

• Whether emergency treatment is covered
• Whether ambulance services are covered
• Whether hospitalization is covered
• Whether pre-authorization is required
• How to submit medical claims
• Which documents the insurer requires

Keep your insurance policy information accessible.

In an emergency, medical care should take priority over trying to determine coverage in advance. Insurance questions can generally be addressed once the immediate medical situation is under control.

What to Do if You Are Staying in a Hotel

Hotels can be particularly helpful for international patients because staff may know the property's Korean address and can assist with communication.

If an emergency occurs:

1. Tell the hotel staff that you need emergency assistance.
2. Call 119 for a medical emergency.
3. Give the hotel's full address or room information.
4. Follow the emergency operator's instructions.
5. Keep your passport and essential medical information accessible if practical.
6. Do not delay emergency treatment while gathering documents.

If you are recovering from a procedure, tell hotel staff in advance that you have recently received medical treatment if you feel comfortable doing so.

Common Emergency Mistakes International Patients Should Avoid

A few simple mistakes can make an emergency more difficult.

Avoid:

• Waiting too long when symptoms are severe
• Calling a general travel hotline instead of 119 for a medical emergency
• Assuming hotel staff can provide medical treatment
• Traveling alone immediately after a procedure without an emergency plan
• Forgetting your hospital's contact information
• Keeping medication information only in an inaccessible app
• Not knowing your accommodation's Korean address
• Trying to translate complex medical information while someone is critically ill

Preparation is particularly important for medical tourists because surgery and other procedures can temporarily increase the need for assistance.

How to Prepare Before Traveling to Busan

Before leaving for South Korea, spend a few minutes creating an emergency information sheet.

Include:

• 119: Medical, fire, and rescue emergencies
• 112: Police emergencies
• 1330: Korea Travel Hotline
• Hospital or clinic contact
• Doctor or medical coordinator
• Hotel address
• Insurance provider
• Emergency contact at home
• Medication list
• Allergies
• Passport details

Save the information on your phone and keep a printed copy.

If you are traveling with another person, make sure they know where the information is stored.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the emergency medical number in South Korea?

119 is the main emergency number for ambulance, fire, and rescue services in South Korea. Medical emergencies should be directed to 119.

What number should foreigners call for an ambulance in Korea?

International visitors can call 119 for emergency medical and ambulance assistance. If you do not speak Korean, official guidance recommends saying “English please” or “Interpreter please” to request language assistance.

What is the police emergency number in South Korea?

The police emergency number is 112. Use it for immediate security emergencies, crimes, violence, and situations requiring police assistance.

Is there an English-speaking emergency service in South Korea?

International visitors who do not speak Korean can request an English-speaking operator or interpreter when contacting emergency services.

What is the 1330 number in South Korea?

1330 is the Korea Travel Hotline, which provides travel-related information and assistance in multiple languages. It is useful for international travelers but should not replace 119 for a life-threatening medical emergency.

What should medical tourists do during a medical emergency in Busan?

If the situation is life-threatening, call 119 and provide your exact location. If you recently received treatment, have your hospital information and medication details available, but do not delay emergency assistance while gathering documents.

Should I contact my hospital or call 119?

For a life-threatening medical emergency, call 119. For non-urgent treatment questions or expected postoperative concerns, contact your treating clinic or hospital according to the instructions you received.

What medical information should international patients keep with them?

Keep your medication list, allergies, relevant medical history, doctor's contact information, hospital details, insurance information, and accommodation address readily available.

Can international patients use emergency services in South Korea?

Yes. Emergency services are available to people in South Korea, including international visitors. Language assistance is available through emergency call procedures, and major hospitals may have international healthcare services and interpreters.

Conclusion

Knowing South Korea's emergency contacts can give international patients greater confidence while traveling or receiving medical treatment in Busan.

Remember the two most important numbers: 119 for medical, fire, and rescue emergencies, and 112 for police emergencies. For travel-related assistance, 1330 can provide multilingual support.

Before your medical trip, save these contacts, record your hospital and accommodation details, prepare your medication and medical information, and make sure you know what to do if your condition suddenly changes.

For international patients, good emergency preparation is not about expecting something to go wrong. It is about knowing exactly what to do if something does.