Emergency
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Emergency

Direct hotlines, a quick SOP for the four most common emergencies, and your embassy.

Korea emergency numbers

Police
112
Press 9 for English / Chinese / Japanese after connect.
Fire & ambulance
119
24h multilingual via interpreter line.
Korea Travel Hotline (KTO)
1330
24h tourist info + interpretation. Best general line for foreigners.
Disaster / civil defense
120
Seoul Dasan callcenter, multilingual.
Lifeline (mental health)
1393
Suicide prevention; Korean-first, but limited interpreter support.

Tip: call 1330 first for any non-urgent confusion — they translate into 119/112 for you.

SOPs

Lost / stolen passport

  1. 1Call your embassy (below) — make appointment for emergency travel document.
  2. 2File a 분실신고서 (loss report) at the nearest police station — keep the case number.
  3. 3Bring two passport photos, the police report, and any ID copy you have to the embassy.
  4. 4Cancel any e-visa / K-ETA linked to the old passport (some embassies do this for you).

Stolen wallet / cards

  1. 1Block every card via the issuer hotline (list below). Use the brand line if you don't have the issuing bank.
  2. 2File a police report at any 지구대 (precinct).
  3. 3Replace any Korean transit card (T-money etc.) at a Seoul Subway customer center if needed.
  4. 4Ask your insurance for a claim form (we can email a template — see Concierge).

Medical emergency

  1. 1Dial 119. After connect, say "English please" — they bring in an interpreter.
  2. 2If conscious and mobile, tell them: location, symptoms, allergies, current meds.
  3. 3Tertiary hospitals with 24h international ERs: Severance, Samsung Medical, Asan, Seoul St. Mary's.
  4. 4Keep all receipts & a stamped diagnosis for travel insurance.

Natural disaster / civil alert

  1. 1Korean phones receive 재난문자 (disaster SMS) in Korean. Translate with the Concierge if unclear.
  2. 2Major events: typhoons (Jul–Sep), heatwaves, heavy rain, occasional earthquakes (esp. Pohang/Gyeongju).
  3. 3Tune to KBS World Radio (101.3 FM Seoul) or check the Air Quality page for fine-dust spikes.
  4. 4In Seoul, basement subway stations are designated civil-defense shelters.

Mental-health support

1393 is Korea's main crisis line but answers in Korean. Below are English / multilingual options and office-hours therapists for non-crisis support.

Koreal Lifeline (1393)

24h crisis
1393
Languages: KO

24h national suicide-prevention line. Korean-only; ask 1330 for an interpreter relay if needed.

Mental Health Crisis (자살예방상담)

24h crisis
1577-0199
Languages: KO

24h crisis counseling. Korean-language; works with 1330 interpreter relay.

Korea Travel Hotline interpretation

24h crisis
1330
Languages: EN, JA, ZH, VI, RU, AR

Press 9 once connected to bridge into 1393 or 1577-0199 with a live interpreter.

AFSP — IASP global crisis directory

24h crisis
+1-800-273-8255
Languages: EN

Find a same-language crisis line for 70+ countries: https://findahelpline.com

More info ↗

Adaptable Human Solutions (Seoul · Pyeongtaek)

Office hrs
+82-2-749-7915
Languages: EN

English and bilingual therapists, in person or online; offices in Jung-gu and Pyeongtaek. Office hours only.

More info ↗

Itaewon KMC Mental Health Clinic

Office hrs
+82-2-790-0775
Languages: EN, JA

Walk-in counseling at the Itaewon expat clinic; same-day appointments possible.

Trevor Project (LGBTQ+, US-based)

24h crisis
+1-866-488-7386
Languages: EN

LGBTQ+ youth in crisis. Free WhatsApp call works from Korea on Wi-Fi.

BTS Magic Shop / Love Myself (UNICEF Korea)

Office hrs
+82-2-735-2300
Languages: EN, KO

Office-hours support and referrals; not a crisis line, but staff will route you.

More info ↗

Card-loss hotlines

Visa Korea (collect)
+82-2-330-5701
Mastercard Global Service Korea
+82-(0)80-822-3500
American Express Global Assist
+82-(0)2-365-6500
JCB Global Helpline
+82-2-755-6201
UnionPay International
00798-1-44-7906
Diners Club Korea
+82-2-2009-3500

Embassies in Korea

🇨🇦 Canada

Seoul
21 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3783-6000 · Mon–Fri 09:00–17:30

After-hours: call Canada Emergency Watch +1-613-996-8885 collect.

Official site

🇯🇵 Japan

Seoul
6 Yulgok-ro 6-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2170-5200 · Mon–Fri 09:00–17:30

Consulate-General in Busan and Jeju.

Official site

🇸🇬 Singapore

Seoul
28F Seoul Finance Center, 136 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-774-2464 · Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00
Official site

Don't see yours? Search '[country] embassy Seoul' on the Concierge — we'll find the current contact.