Emergency & Safety Basics
Korea is very safe — and these four numbers and habits make it even safer.
The four numbers to know
112 is police, 119 is fire and ambulance, 1330 is the tourist helpline, and 120 is the Seoul city helpline (some English). All are free from any phone, including borrowed ones.
1330: the tourist lifeline
The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline runs 24/7 with interpreters in English, Japanese, Chinese, and more. Lost your passport? A dispute with a taxi driver? They will translate and point you to the right office.
Health and pharmacies
Pharmacies (약국, marked with a green cross) are everywhere, and pharmacists often speak basic English — 1330 can translate the rest. Bring prescriptions in original packaging. For anything serious, emergency rooms (응급실) at major hospitals accept foreign patients.
Everyday safety
Violent crime against travelers is extremely rare and pickpocketing is uncommon. If you lose something, report it at 112 — lost items are turned in at police stations or district offices with astonishing reliability.
Last reviewed by our Seoul team · Oct 6, 2026
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