No one plans to get sick or have an emergency while traveling, but it’s always best to be prepared — especially in a foreign country. Here’s what you need to know about getting help in Korea when the unexpected happens.
☎️ 1. Emergency Numbers (Save These!)
- 📞 112 – Police
For crimes, theft, lost items, or any danger. - 📞 119 – Fire & Medical Emergency
For ambulance, fire, or serious injuries.
🚑 Operators often provide basic English support.
If you call from a cell phone, your location is usually tracked automatically.
🏥 2. Going to a Hospital or Clinic
Korea has excellent medical services. Major hospitals in cities often have international clinics with English-speaking staff.
What to do:
- Visit an ER (응급실) for serious issues.
- For minor problems, go to a local clinic (의원) — no appointment needed.
- For foreigners, passport is usually required.
- Payment is upfront, but prices are often cheaper than in the U.S. or Europe.
🧾 Keep receipts — some travel insurances reimburse you later.
💊 3. Need Medicine? Visit a Pharmacy (약국)
Pharmacies are everywhere and easy to spot (look for 약 sign).
Tips:
- Most basic medicine (cold, headache, stomach issues) is available without a prescription.
- Pharmacists may not speak much English, so use a translation app or show symptoms visually.
- Operating hours vary. Look for 24-hour pharmacies in tourist areas.
👮 4. Lost Passport or Serious Trouble?
Head to the nearest police station. Officers are generally helpful, even if English is limited.
Also contact your embassy or consulate in Korea — they can issue emergency documents or assist with legal matters.
🧭 Use Naver Map or KakaoMap to find:
- Police stations (경찰서)
- Pharmacies (약국)
- Hospitals (병원)
✨ Pro Tip:
Download these apps before your trip:
- Emergency Ready App (Korean government, multilingual disaster alerts)
- HiDoc (Find nearby hospitals with English-speaking doctors)
- Papago or Google Translate (for communication)
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