911 Doesn't Work in Korea: Emergency Numbers 112 & 119, Hours, and Free Interpretation

Bottom line: In an emergency in Korea, dial 112 for police or 119 for fire, ambulance, and rescue — not 911. Both numbers work from any phone with no area code, and both connect you to interpretation in other languages.

If you didn't know: Dialing 911 out of habit, the way Americans do at home, will not connect you to Korea's emergency system — realizing that in the middle of an actual emergency can cost you precious minutes. 112 runs a three-way interpretation line on weekdays from 8am to 11pm and weekends from 8am to 6pm, and 119 also offers foreign-language interpretation support. If the interpretation connection is slow or drops, BBB Korea's free interpretation line (1588-5644) is a backup.

In a crisis, the number your body knows best is the one that comes out first. But in Korea, dialing 911 won't reach the police or an ambulance, so it's safer to save 112 and 119 in your phone's contacts as soon as you land. When you call, an operator picks up first, and if you say you need a foreign language, an interpreter is patched in for a three-way call. Exact hours and available languages can vary by situation, so if the interpretation connection is slow, stay on the line rather than hanging up, or call BBB Korea instead.

Journey stage: First 24 hours · Verified 2026-10-22 · Source: New Zealand Embassy Seoul consular guidance, Seoul National University Office of International Affairs guidance