- Key point: Call 119 for a serious or life-threatening emergency and use current official listings for facilities and pharmacies.
- Price: Coverage and out-of-pocket charges depend on treatment and insurance, so carry insurance details and request records and receipts.
- Tip: Bring identification plus medication, allergy and condition information; an English listing does not guarantee current hours.
119 supports emergency reporting through phone and additional channels such as text, video and interpreter-assisted three-way calls. Available interpretation languages can vary, so do not promise a fixed language count.
Call 119 immediately when delay could be dangerous and state the location first. Emergency departments commonly require payment before a later travel-insurance claim; carry insurance and payment details.
Call 119 for a serious or life-threatening emergency
Call 119 for ambulance, fire or rescue. Give the location first, describe the immediate danger and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Do not delay emergency care while searching for an English-speaking clinic. Police emergencies use 112.
Verify the facility at the time of travel
Hospital departments, nighttime acceptance and language support can change. Use the official emergency medical information route or ask 119 for the nearest appropriate open facility. The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline can assist with non-life-threatening travel interpretation, but it is not a substitute for emergency dispatch.
An “English pharmacy” listing is not an opening-hours guarantee
Search for 약국 (pharmacy), call before traveling and confirm that a pharmacist is on duty and can communicate in the required language. Show the generic medicine name, active ingredient, dose, allergies and other medicines. Do not request antibiotics or prescription medicines as if they were ordinary retail products.
Bring the information needed for treatment
- Passport or accepted identification and accommodation address.
- Travel-insurance contact and payment method.
- Generic medication list, doses and allergies.
- Symptoms, start time and relevant medical history.
- A trusted emergency contact and translation backup.
Official sources
Time-sensitive details were checked against the original sources below on 2026-08-28.