Need Help in Korea? Find the Right Number

Editorial illustration of a blue speech bubble framing a Korean city scene, with a phone and map, for a guide to finding help in Korea.
Editorial illustration by KEYWORD_WORLD; not a photograph of a help centre.

Life in Korea can bring small questions and unexpected problems. You may need travel advice, help with a visa, or urgent assistance. Knowing which number to call can make the first step easier.

In an emergency, call 112 for police or 119 for fire, rescue and an ambulance. Do not wait for a travel or immigration helpline.

_ Choose the right number

These short numbers are for calls made within South Korea. On a phone that supports calling, tap a number below to open the dialler. Check the number before placing the call.

What you needCall
Police help or reporting a crime112
Fire, rescue or an emergency ambulance119
Travel information and tourist assistance1330
Immigration and questions about your stay1345

_ 112 and 119: urgent help

Call 112 when you need police help. Call 119 for a fire, rescue or a medical emergency that needs an ambulance.

Give your location and explain what happened as clearly as you can. If you need language help, name your language. You can start with a short sentence:

“English, please. I need an ambulance. I am at [your location].”

This is an example, not a required script. Use the language and words you know. Follow the call handler’s instructions.

_ 1330: help with travel

The Korea Tourism Organization runs the 1330 Travel Helpline. It offers travel information by phone and real-time chat.

This is a useful place to ask a non-urgent travel question. For example: “Where can I find information about buses to this attraction?” You can also check the official page for chat access and current service details.

Language support and service hours can differ. Check the available options for your language. For an emergency, use 112 or 119 directly.

_ 1345: questions about living in Korea

The Immigration Contact Center, 1345, provides information about immigration, your stay in Korea and everyday life. It offers support in several languages.

The published weekday hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Korea time. After 6 p.m., support is available in Korean, English and Chinese. Check holiday notices before planning a non-urgent call.

Before calling, write down your question and any deadline. Ask which documents or official procedure apply to your situation. A call for information does not complete an application or extend a deadline.

_ Make a small help note

Save these numbers with clear names, such as “Korea — Police” and “Korea — Travel Help.” Keep your accommodation or home address in Korean where you can find it quickly. Add the building name or a nearby landmark.

If you do not speak much Korean or English, prepare one short sentence about the help you need. Simple words are enough to begin a conversation.

_ More guides to life in Korea

Editorial illustration of a sunlit Korean kitchen with clean containers, folded cardboard and a food scrap caddy. KEYWORD_WORLD · READ NEXTHow to Sort Food Waste and Recycling in KoreaFind the waste categories and the instructions to check locally.Read the guide → Editorial illustration of a parcel with a blank address tag on a wooden bench beside a blue apartment door. KEYWORD_WORLD · READ NEXTYour Address in Korea: A Simple Guide to DeliveriesCheck the Korean address, unit and postal code before the next delivery.Read the guide →

_ Official sources

Information checked: September 7, 2026. Service details may change. This guide provides contact information, not medical or immigration advice.

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