Emergency language

Korea Emergency Phrases for Hospitals, Pharmacies & Police

A phrase card supports communication; it never diagnoses illness or replaces emergency services.

REVIEWED AUG 28, 2026 · VERIFY LIVE RULES BEFORE TRAVEL · REVIEWED BY HJ MUN, KOURSEA FOUNDER
Emergency first: call 119 for fire or medical emergency and 112 for police. Give the location before attempting a long explanation.
Korea Emergency Phrases for Hospitals, Pharmacies & Police — Korea travel photo
Photo: Koursea Editorial (illustrative)

Lead with location and danger

  • 여기 주소는 ___입니다. The address here is ___.
  • 응급상황입니다. This is an emergency.
  • 구급차를 보내 주세요. Please send an ambulance.
  • 영어 통역이 필요합니다. I need English interpretation.

Show the Korean address, floor and landmark. Ask a hotel or station worker to assist if necessary. Do not drive yourself when symptoms may be life-threatening.

Share critical facts

  • 가슴이 아파요. My chest hurts.
  • 숨쉬기 힘들어요. I have difficulty breathing.
  • 심한 알레르기가 있어요. I have a severe allergy.
  • 이 약에 알레르기가 있어요. I am allergic to this medicine.
  • 복용 중인 약입니다. This is medicine I take.

Carry drug names, doses, allergies, insurance and passport details offline. Show original packaging because translation can be imperfect.

Ask without self-diagnosing

  1. 약사님과 상담하고 싶어요. I want to consult the pharmacist.
  2. 이 약은 어떻게 복용해요? How do I take it?
  3. 병원에 가야 하나요? Should I go to hospital?

Ask about ingredients, interactions and dosage. Never combine unfamiliar products or use another person’s prescription.

Report facts

  • 여권을 잃어버렸어요. I lost my passport.
  • 도난 신고를 하고 싶어요. I want to report theft.
  • 안전하지 않다고 느껴요. I feel unsafe.

Preserve receipts and vehicle details. Contact your embassy after a lost passport.

Before you go

Final practical check: save the official page, exact Korean address and nearest transit exit offline. Reconfirm opening hours, reservation cutoff and weather on the day, because a map listing or old price is not a guarantee. Compare the complete Korean-won total, including deposits, equipment, booking fees or optional services, before paying. Carry an overseas card plus a small Korean-won backup, keep the receipt, and ask about cancellation or exchange terms. Allow extra time for queues and accessibility, and choose a safe alternative when staff, signs or official notices conflict with an older travel post.

Official sources

Time-sensitive details were checked against the original sources below on 2026-08-28.