Emergency Numbers and Crisis Guide for International Students in South Korea

---

Nobody plans for emergencies, but knowing what to do when one happens can make the difference between a manageable situation and a crisis that spirals out of control. As an international student in South Korea, you may not have the same support network you relied on at home — no family nearby, no childhood doctor to call, and limited Korean language skills when panic sets in.

This guide is your emergency reference. Save it, bookmark it, and share it with your fellow international students. It covers every critical number you need, how to access emergency medical care, what to do during natural disasters, and how to reach your embassy when everything else fails.

Emergency Numbers: Save These Now

Stop reading and add these numbers to your phone contacts right now:

How to Call Emergency Services

Calling 119 (Fire/Ambulance):

1. Dial 119 from any phone (mobile or landline — works without a SIM card)
2. Say "Emergency" or "응급" (eung-geup) or "English please"
3. State your emergency type: fire (화재, hwajae), medical (의료, uiryo), rescue (구조, gujo)
4. Give your location — the most critical piece of information:
   • Building name and address
   • Nearby landmarks
   • If unsure, open Naver Map → tap the GPS button → read the address on screen
5. Stay on the line until the dispatcher confirms help is on the way

Calling 112 (Police):

1. Dial 112
2. State your emergency
3. Give your location
4. If you cannot speak Korean, say "English" — most 112 centers have English-capable operators or can connect you to an interpreter via 3-way call

Important: In Korea, 119 handles both fire AND medical emergencies (ambulance). There is no separate ambulance number.

Free Interpretation for Emergencies

If you are struggling to communicate in Korean during an emergency:

1. BBB (Before Babel Brigade): Call 1588-5644 for volunteer interpreters in 19 languages. They can join your 119 or 112 call as a 3-way interpreter.
2. 1345 Immigration Helpline: Multilingual operators can help you navigate emergency situations.
3. Papago app: In non-life-threatening situations, use Naver's Papago translation app to communicate with first responders or hospital staff.

Medical Emergencies

When to Call 119

Call 119 immediately for:

• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Severe bleeding that will not stop
• Loss of consciousness
• Signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty)
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• Serious injuries (broken bones, deep cuts, head trauma)
• Overdose or poisoning
• Severe burns

Going to the Emergency Room (응급실)

If your situation is urgent but you can transport yourself (or have a friend drive you):

Major hospitals with 24/7 emergency rooms:

What to Bring to the ER

• ARC or passport (for identification and insurance)
• NHIS card (if you have it — reduces your costs significantly)
• Medication list (current medications and allergies)
• Phone (for translation and contacting someone)
• Cash or card — ER visits require payment, though emergency treatment is provided first regardless of ability to pay

ER Process

1. Triage: A nurse assesses the severity of your condition and assigns a priority level. Life-threatening cases are seen immediately; less urgent cases may wait.
2. Registration: Staff will record your personal information and insurance details.
3. Treatment: A doctor examines you, orders tests if needed, and provides treatment.
4. Payment: After treatment, you pay at the billing window. With NHIS, your co-pay is typically 20–40% of the total cost. Without NHIS, you pay the full amount.
5. Follow-up: The doctor may prescribe medication (fill at the hospital pharmacy or a nearby pharmacy) and schedule a follow-up appointment.

ER Costs (With NHIS)

Without NHIS, multiply these figures by approximately 3–5x.

Mental Health Crisis

Mental health emergencies are just as serious as physical ones. If you or someone you know is in crisis:

Immediate Crisis

• 1393 Mental Health Crisis Hotline — 24/7, Korean and English
• 119 — if there is immediate danger to life
• 112 — if there is danger to self or others

Ongoing Mental Health Support

Signs to Watch For (In Yourself or Friends)

• Persistent sadness or hopelessness lasting more than 2 weeks
• Withdrawal from friends, classes, and activities
• Significant changes in sleep or eating patterns
• Inability to concentrate or attend classes
• Excessive alcohol or substance use
• Talk of wanting to die or not wanting to exist
• Giving away belongings or saying goodbye

If a friend is in crisis: Stay with them, listen without judgment, and call 1393 or 119 together. Do not leave them alone.

Crime and Safety

South Korea is one of the safest countries in the world. The overall crime rate is low, and violent crime against foreigners is rare. However, awareness is important:

If You Are a Victim of Crime

1. Call 112 (Police) immediately
2. Do not leave the scene if safe to stay
3. Preserve evidence — do not wash, change clothes (for assault cases), or clean up
4. Get a police report number (사건접수번호) — essential for insurance claims and legal proceedings
5. Contact your embassy if the situation is serious
6. Contact your university's international office — they can provide support and interpretation

Common Safety Concerns for International Students

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

• 1366 Women's Safety Hotline — 24/7, 13 languages
• Sunflower Centers (해바라기센터) — one-stop support centers for sexual violence victims, providing medical care, counseling, and legal assistance. Located in major hospitals.
• Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center — 02-338-5801

Natural Disasters

Korea experiences several types of natural events:

Typhoons (태풍)

Season: July–September

When warnings are issued:

• Typhoon Advisory (태풍주의보): Prepare for possible impact
• Typhoon Warning (태풍경보): Take immediate protective action

What to do:

1. Stay indoors. Close and lock windows.
2. Stock water, food, flashlight, and portable phone charger.
3. Move away from windows and glass doors.
4. Avoid basements (flooding risk) and hilltops (wind exposure).
5. Follow updates on TV (KBS, MBC), radio, and the 안전디딤돌 app (Korea Disaster Safety app).
6. Do not drive or walk through flooded areas.

Earthquakes (지진)

Korea is generally seismically stable, but occasional earthquakes occur (the 2016 Gyeongju earthquake measured 5.8):

During an earthquake:

1. Drop, Cover, Hold On. Get under a sturdy desk or table.
2. Stay away from windows, heavy furniture, and bookshelves.
3. If outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings and power lines.
4. If in a car, pull over and stay inside until shaking stops.

After an earthquake:

1. Check for injuries and hazards (gas leaks, structural damage).
2. Do not use elevators.
3. Follow instructions from emergency broadcasts.

Heavy Rain and Flooding (폭우/홍수)

Season: June–September (monsoon season, 장마)

What to do:

1. Avoid underground spaces (지하) during heavy rain — flash flooding can trap people.
2. Do not cross flooded roads or streams.
3. Move to higher ground if your area is flood-prone.
4. Monitor alerts through the 안전디딤돌 app.

Heat Waves (폭염) and Cold Waves (한파)

Summer (July–August): Temperatures can exceed 35°C with high humidity.

• Stay hydrated, avoid prolonged outdoor activity, and use air conditioning.
• Free cooling centers (무더위쉼터) are available at community centers and subway stations.

Winter (December–February): Temperatures can drop below -15°C.

• Dress in layers, protect extremities (hands, ears, toes).
• Be cautious of icy sidewalks and roads.
• Free warming centers (한파쉼터) are available at community centers.

Emergency Alerts on Your Phone

Korea has a Cell Broadcast System that sends emergency alerts directly to all mobile phones in affected areas. You will receive alerts for:

• Typhoons and severe weather
• Earthquakes
• Heavy rain and flooding warnings
• Fine dust (미세먼지) alerts
• Air raid/national security drills (민방위훈련) — these are drills, not real emergencies. They occur several times per year, usually at 2:00 PM. Sirens sound, and people are asked to take shelter for about 15–20 minutes.

These alerts arrive as loud notification sounds with text messages in Korean. Use Papago to translate if needed.

Embassy and Consulate Contacts

Your country's embassy or consulate is your ultimate safety net for serious situations (arrest, hospitalization, passport loss, evacuation):

For countries not listed, search "Embassy of [Your Country] in Seoul" or call 1345 for assistance.

When to Contact Your Embassy

• You are arrested or detained by Korean police
• You are hospitalized with a serious condition
• You lose your passport
• A natural disaster or crisis affects your safety
• You need emergency travel documents
• You are a victim of a serious crime
• You need legal assistance or representation

Building Your Emergency Kit

Every student should have a basic emergency kit in their room:

• Flashlight (or phone with charged battery)
• Portable phone charger (power bank) — always keep it charged
• 3-day supply of drinking water (6 liters)
• Non-perishable snacks (crackers, nuts, energy bars)
• Basic first aid supplies (bandages, antiseptic, pain reliever)
• Copies of important documents (ARC, passport, insurance card, embassy phone number) — stored in a waterproof bag
• Cash (at least 50,000 KRW in small bills) — ATMs may not work during power outages
• Any essential medication you take regularly (1-week supply)
• Warm blanket (for winter emergencies)

Quick Emergency Reference Card

Print this or save a screenshot on your phone:

EMERGENCY QUICK REFERENCE

Fire/Ambulance: 119
Police: 112
Immigration Help: 1345
Medical Info: 1339
Mental Health Crisis: 1393
Women's Safety: 1366
General Government: 110

My Embassy: _____________
My University Emergency: _____________
My Emergency Contact (home): _____________

My Address: _____________
My ARC Number: _____________
My Blood Type: _____________
My Allergies: _____________

Fill in the blanks and keep this accessible on your phone and as a physical card in your wallet.

For related safety information, see our Health Insurance Guide and Immigration Office Guide.

Final Thoughts

South Korea is an exceptionally safe country. Violent crime is rare, natural disasters are well-managed, and the emergency response infrastructure is world-class. The 119 ambulance service, in particular, is fast and professional — average response time in urban areas is under 7 minutes.

But safety comes from preparation, not luck. Save the numbers in this guide to your phone today. Tell your roommate or closest friend where your emergency contacts are. Know the location of the nearest hospital with an emergency room. And if something does happen, do not hesitate to call — Korean emergency services are there for everyone, regardless of nationality or language ability.

Need personalized advice? Chat with Dr. Admissions →