Seoul Emergency & Safety Guide: From 119 Calls to Hospitals, Pharmacies & Scam Prevention
What if you get sick in Seoul? What if you lose your wallet? Where do you even find a pharmacy at 2am?
Seoul is one of the safest cities in the world. But you still need to know what to do if something goes wrong.
Here's everything: emergency phone numbers, English-speaking hospitals, 24-hour pharmacies, how to avoid tourist scams, and essential Korean phrases. Bookmark this guide and you're covered.
Is Seoul Actually Safe?
Short answer: Yes. Very.
Seoul's crime rate is among the lowest of any major city worldwide. The city's safety index sits at 75.77 as of 2025 β you can walk alone at night without worrying.
Why Seoul is Safe:
- CCTV everywhere: Streets, subways, buildings all have cameras
- Bright at night: Convenience stores and cafes open 24/7 keep streets lit
- Fast response: Police patrol frequently, 112 calls get 5-minute response time
- Low crime: Violent crime is extremely rare. Pickpocketing and scams are the worst you'll encounter
Reality Check:
- Watch for pickpockets in tourist areas (Myeongdong, Namdaemun)
- Some taxi drivers overcharge (always check the meter)
- Avoid street touts offering "tea ceremony" or "English practice"
Insider Tip: Seoul is way safer than London, Paris, or New York. Solo female travelers do fine here. Just use common sense β keep valuables secure, avoid dark alleys late at night.
Emergency Phone Numbers (Bookmark These!)
Primary Emergency Services
119 - Fire / Medical Emergency / Ambulance
- When: Medical emergencies, injuries, fires
- Cost: Ambulance ride is FREE (hospital treatment costs extra)
- English support: Automatically connected to 1330 interpretation service
112 - Police
- When: Crime, lost items, urgent help needed
- English support: English, Chinese, Japanese interpretation available
- 24/7 operation
1330 - Korea Travel Hotline
- MOST IMPORTANT NUMBER FOR TOURISTS!
- 24/7, English/Chinese/Japanese support
- Tourist information, connects you to 119/112 with interpretation, hospital referrals
- Lost? Can't communicate? Call this number
Additional Useful Numbers
1339 - Medical Consultation
- Non-emergency medical advice (fever, stomachache, headache)
- English-speaking hospital referrals
- 24-hour pharmacy locations
120 - Dasan Call Center (Seoul City)
- General Seoul inquiries (English available)
- Lost items in taxis, traffic info, government offices
1345 - Immigration Contact Center
- Visa, residency, administrative questions
- 20+ languages including English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese
Insider Tip: Save 1330 in your phone right now. Even if you don't speak Korean, they'll connect you to 119 or 112 with interpretation. This one number solves most emergencies.
How to Use Hospitals
When to Go to the Hospital?
Emergency Room: Call 119 for ambulance
- Severe pain, broken bones, unconsciousness, serious bleeding
- Difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe allergic reaction
Regular Clinic/Hospital: Walk-in visit
- Cold, fever, diarrhea, minor injuries
- Skin problems, toothache, indigestion
English-Speaking Hospitals (Tourist-Friendly)
Gangnam Severance Hospital
- Location: Near Gangnam Station
- English: Full interpretation services
- Departments: All departments have English support
- Phone: 02-2019-3000
Samsung Medical Center
- Location: Samsung Station Exit 2
- English: International Healthcare Center
- Appointments: Recommended (foreigner-specific desk)
- Phone: 02-3410-0200
Seoul National University Hospital
- Location: Near Hyehwa Station
- English: International Clinic operates
- Care: Specialized medical services
- Phone: 02-2072-0505
International Clinics
- If you want zero language barrier
- Location: Common in Itaewon, Gangnam, Myeongdong
- Cost: 1.5~2x more expensive than regular hospitals
- Example: Seoul Global Medical Center (Myeongdong)
24-Hour Emergency Rooms: Major hospitals operate 24/7 ERs
- Night/weekend treatment available
- Bring ID and credit card
Medical Costs & Insurance
Costs (Foreigners without insurance):
- Regular consultation: β©20,000
50,000 ($1540) - Emergency room: β©60,000
200,000+ ($50150+) - Hospitalization: β©200,000+ per day ($150+)
Travel Insurance: GET IT!
- Korea doesn't require health insurance for foreigners
- Without insurance, you pay 100% upfront (cash/card)
- Keep receipts to claim from insurance back home
Money-Saving Tips:
- Not an emergency? Go to neighborhood clinics (3x cheaper than big hospitals)
- Get prescription and buy meds at pharmacy (cheaper than hospital dispensary)
- Call 1339 to ask for affordable English-speaking hospitals
How to Use Pharmacies
Finding Pharmacies
Pharmacy Sign: Green cross + "μ½" character
- There's always a pharmacy near subway stations
- Convenience stores ONLY sell basic pain relievers (Tylenol, aspirin)
Business Hours:
- Weekdays: 9am~8pm
- Saturdays: 9am~5pm
- Sundays: Mostly closed (except near major stations)
24-Hour Pharmacies:
- Near Seoul Station, Gangnam Station, Hongdae Station
- Search "24μκ° μ½κ΅" on Naver Maps
How to Buy Medicine
Step 1: Go to pharmacy and explain symptoms
- If no English, use translation app (Papago, Google Translate)
- Or point to where it hurts and say "μνμ" (a-pa-yo = it hurts)
Step 2: Pharmacist recommends medicine
- Over-the-counter: Pain relievers, cold medicine, digestive aids
- Prescription required: Antibiotics, etc. (need to visit hospital first)
Step 3: Pay (cash/card both accepted)
- Usually β©5,000
15,000 ($412)
Common Medicine Prices:
- Headache medicine (Tylenol): β©5,000
- Cold medicine: β©8,000~12,000
- Digestive aid: β©3,000
- Bandages/ointment: β©3,000~8,000
Insider Tip: Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) sell basic meds like Tylenol, aspirin, and digestive aids. Useful when pharmacies are closed.
Essential Korean Phrases (Emergency Use)
Asking for Help
λμμ£ΌμΈμ! (do-wa-ju-se-yo)
= Help me!
119 λΆλ¬μ£ΌμΈμ (il-il-gu bul-leo-ju-se-yo)
= Please call 119
κ²½μ°° λΆλ¬μ£ΌμΈμ (gyeong-chal bul-leo-ju-se-yo)
= Please call police
μμ΄ νμΈμ? (yeong-eo ha-se-yo?)
= Do you speak English?
Medical Situations
μνμ (a-pa-yo)
= I'm sick / It hurts
λ°°κ° μνμ (bae-ga a-pa-yo)
= My stomach hurts
λ¨Έλ¦¬κ° μνμ (meo-ri-ga a-pa-yo)
= My head hurts
λ€μ³€μ΄μ (da-chyeo-sseo-yo)
= I'm injured
λ³μ μ΄λμμ? (byeong-won eo-di-ye-yo?)
= Where is the hospital?
μ½κ΅ μ΄λμμ? (yak-guk eo-di-ye-yo?)
= Where is the pharmacy?
Emergencies
μ§κ°μ μμ΄λ²λ Έμ΄μ (ji-gap-eul il-eo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo)
= I lost my wallet
μ¬κΆμ μμ΄λ²λ Έμ΄μ (yeo-gwon-eul il-eo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo)
= I lost my passport
κΈΈμ μμμ΄μ (gil-eul il-eo-sseo-yo)
= I'm lost
νμλ₯Ό λΆλ¬μ£ΌμΈμ (taek-si-reul bul-leo-ju-se-yo)
= Please call a taxi
Pro Tip: Copy these phrases to your phone notes. If you can't pronounce them, just show your screen.
Tourist Scams & How to Avoid Them
Common Scam Types
1. Tea Ceremony Scam
- How it works: Young women approach saying "practice English?" or "let's have tea"
- Result: You end up at a shabby tea house with β©100,000~500,000 bill
- Prevention: Politely decline strangers who approach you. Say "I'm okay, thanks" and walk away
2. Taxi Overcharging
- How it works: Driver doesn't start meter, charges β©50,000~100,000 at destination
- Prevention:
- Check meter starts immediately (screen shows β©3,800 base fare)
- If not running, say "λ―Έν°κΈ° μΌμ£ΌμΈμ" or get out
- Use Kakao Taxi app (meter automatically applied)
3. Tourist Price Markup
- How it works: Myeongdong, Insadong charge foreigners higher prices
- Restaurants: Separate foreigner menu (2~3x higher prices)
- Prevention:
- Check menu has prices listed
- Ask "μΌλ§μμ?" (how much?) before ordering
- Go to restaurants with Naver Map rating 4.5+
4. Club/Bar Scams
- How it works: Touts in Itaewon, Hongdae lure you β expensive drinks forced on you
- Result: Basic drink costs β©50,000~100,000
- Prevention:
- NEVER follow street touts
- Check cover charge and drink prices before entering
- Stick to known clubs (Octagon, Arena, Club Mass)
5. Noraebang (Karaoke) Scams
- How it works: Advertise "β©10,000 per hour" β bill comes to β©100,000+ (drinks, "service" charges added)
- Prevention: Only use chain noraebangs (coin noraebangs, clear pricing)
What to Do If Scammed
Step 1: Don't pay immediately
- Say "I'm calling the police"
- Most scammers back down when you threaten to call 112
Step 2: Call 112
- English interpretation auto-connects
- Explain location and situation
Step 3: Get a receipt
- You can dispute charges with credit card company later
Insider Tip: Koreans hate scammers. If you ask nearby Korean people for help ("λμμ£ΌμΈμ!"), most will intervene. They'll even yell at the scammer for you.
Lost Items: What to Do
Lost Passport
Step 1: Go to police station and file report
- Call 112 to find nearest station
- Say "μ¬κΆμ μμ΄λ²λ Έμ΄μ" (I lost my passport)
- Get loss report (English forms available)
Step 2: Contact your embassy/consulate
- USA: 02-397-4114 (near Myeongdong)
- UK: 02-3210-5500 (Taepyeongno)
- Canada: 02-3783-6000 (Jeong-dong)
- Australia: 02-2003-0100 (Jongno)
- Get passport reissued or emergency travel document
Step 3: Check with airline
- Inform airline you lost passport
- Confirm if travel document allows boarding
Lost Wallet/Cards
Immediate Actions:
- Call credit card company's international loss hotline (number on back of card)
- File 112 report and get loss certificate
- Contact accommodation to check if you left it there
Finding Lost Items:
- Subway: Lost112 app or website
- Taxi: Call taxi company (number on receipt)
- General: Visit nearest police station
Insider Tip: Korea has high lost-item recovery rates. Items often get turned in to subway stations or police within 24 hours. Always check the Lost112 app.
General Safety Rules
Transportation Safety
Subway:
- Rush hour (7:30
9:30am, 68pm) is PACKED - Wear backpack in front (pickpocket prevention)
- Never sit in priority seats (even if train is full)
Crosswalks:
- Wait for green light even if no cars (jaywalking fines)
- Flashing green? Hurry across
Bikes/E-scooters:
- Riding on sidewalks is ILLEGAL (road only)
- Helmet recommended
- Never ride drunk
Food Safety
Water:
- Tap water is safe to drink
- Restaurant water is free (filtered water)
Food:
- Korea has strict food safety standards
- Street food is safe (tteokbokki, bungeoppang, hotteok)
- Have allergies? Say "λ 콩 μλ λ₯΄κΈ° μμ΄μ" (I have peanut allergy)
Night Safety
Solo Female Travelers:
- Most areas are safe even late at night
- Stick to main streets
- Use subway over taxis (runs until midnight)
Areas to Avoid:
- Dark alleys, deserted parks (late at night)
- Areas with heavily drunk people (Hongdae, Gangnam after 2am)
Safe Travel Home:
- Use Kakao Taxi app (can share location with friends)
- Save accommodation address in Korean in your notes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: I called 119 but they only speak Korean. What do I do?
Press 1330 and you'll auto-connect to interpretation service. Or call 1330 directly and say "connect me to 119" β they'll set up 3-way call with interpreter. Save 1330 in your phone now.
Q: How much will an emergency room visit cost?
Without travel insurance: β©60,000200,000 ($50150). Severe cases cost more. Before treatment, ask "How much will this cost?" Bring your credit card.
Q: Can I buy medicine at a pharmacy without speaking Korean?
Yes! Use Papago translation app to show symptoms, or point to where it hurts. Pharmacies near major stations often have English-speaking pharmacists. Or call 1339 to ask for English-friendly pharmacies.
Q: How long does it take to get a replacement passport?
Regular passport: 12 weeks. Emergency travel document: 12 days. If you need to leave Korea soon, get the emergency document. You'll need the police loss report.
Q: I think a taxi overcharged me. What can I do?
Before paying, say you'll call 112. If you already paid, get a receipt and report to 120 (Dasan Call Center). Taxi company will refund. Use Kakao Taxi app to avoid this entirely.
Q: Is it safe to walk alone at night in Seoul?
Yes, most areas are safe late at night. But use common sense: stick to main streets, avoid heavily drunk crowds, keep valuables secure. Solo female travel is fine here.
Q: Where do I go to find lost items?
Search Lost112 app or website. If you lost it on subway β station help desk, taxi β taxi company, general location β nearest police station. Korea has high recovery rates!
Q: Will hospital bills be expensive without insurance?
Korean medical costs are MUCH cheaper than USA or Europe. But still get travel insurance. Without it, you pay 100% upfront, and ER visits can be pricey. Keep receipts to claim from insurance later.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy Seoul Worry-Free
Seoul really is a safe city. Low crime, helpful people, bright streets at night.
Just remember:
- Save 1330 in your phone (your emergency lifeline)
- Check taxi meter always
- Buy travel insurance
- Lost items? Check Lost112 app
- Memorize basic Korean phrases
With basic prep, you won't need to worry about emergencies. Enjoy Seoul, and if you need help, don't hesitate to call 1330!
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