Emergency Numbers in Korea: 119, 112, and English Help Lines
Written and reviewed by Jun and Jin, native Korean speakers
Published · How we write & review
After this page, you can know which emergency number to call in Korea — 119 or 112 — and say what happened.
10-second answer
The short answer
Korea splits what many countries combine into one number: 119 is fire AND ambulance, 112 is police — there's no single "911." Beyond true emergencies, three English-friendly help lines are worth saving: 1330 (24-hour tourist hotline, multilingual), 1339 (health/medical guidance), and 1345 (immigration contact center).
Quick check — did that land?
1. What is Korea's number for fire and ambulance?
119는 소방·구급, 112는 경찰이에요. In Korea, call 119 for fire or an ambulance and 112 for police.
Full Dialogue Walkthrough
Calling 119 for an ambulance, then calling 112 to report something. Try "Practice as You" and answer each line before checking.
119입니다, 무슨 일이세요?
119imnida, museun irisyeyo?
This is 119, what's the emergency?
여기 응급 상황이에요.
yeogi eunggeup sanghwang-ieyo.
This is an emergency here.
주소가 어떻게 되세요?
jusoga eotteoke doeseyo?
What's the address?
영어 할 수 있는 사람 있어요?
yeongeo hal su inneun saram isseoyo?
Is there someone who can speak English?
112입니다.
112imnida.
This is 112 (police).
도둑이 있어요.
dodugi isseoyo.
There's a thief.
지금 어디세요?
jigeum eodiseyo?
Where are you right now?
지하철역 근처예요.
jihacheollyeok geuncheoyeyo.
Near the subway station.
See also: At the Korean Hospital or Pharmacy
The Core Numbers
| Number | For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 119 | Fire and ambulance | Free, 24/7 — operators can connect an English interpreter |
| 112 | Police | Free, 24/7 — same interpreter connection available |
| 1330 | Tourist hotline | Multilingual, handles lost items, complaints, general help |
| 1339 | Health/medical info line | Non-emergency symptom guidance, hospital recommendations |
| 1345 | Immigration contact center | Visa, ARC, and immigration questions |
| 1577-1366 | 다누리 multicultural family/foreign resident support | Multilingual counseling and settlement support |
Calling 119 or 112
여기 응급 상황이에요.
yeogi eunggeup sanghwang-ieyo.
This is an emergency here.
응급 상황 = emergency situation — say this first to set the tone.
영어 할 수 있는 사람 있어요?
yeongeo hal su inneun saram isseoyo?
Is there someone who can speak English?
119/112 operators can patch in an interpreter — ask directly if needed.
주소는 [주소]예요.
jusoneun [juso]-yeyo.
The address is [address].
Have your address ready — sharing your location via a maps app also works if speech is difficult.
Why the Split Matters
Dialing 911 in Korea won't connect to anything — a common and understandable habit for visitors from the US, Canada, and several other countries. If you only memorize two numbers before arriving, make them 119 and 112; everything else on this page is a bonus layer for non-emergency situations.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Dialing 911 out of habit
It doesn't work in Korea — 119 (fire/ambulance) and 112 (police) are the real numbers.
Mistake #2 — Assuming no one will understand you
Both 119 and 112 can connect an interpreter — asking 영어 할 수 있는 사람 있어요? gets you real help, not a dead end.
Mini Quiz
2 short questions — about 1 minute
2. What is 112 for?
3. What does the 1330 hotline handle?
Part of Life in Korea: Practical Guides for Foreign Residents
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
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