Phrases for emergencies

In an emergency, shout 도와주세요 (dowajuseyo, "Please help me"). To get people's attention, also call out 여기요! (yeogiyo, "Over here!"). Most importantly, in a real emergency call 112 for the police or 119 for fire and ambulance services right away. These numbers work from any phone.

In Korea, call 112 for the police and 119 for fire, rescue and ambulance services. You can dial them from mobile phones and public phones. When connected, give your location first, such as 여기 ○○예요 (yeogi ○○yeyo, "I'm at ○○"). If Korean is hard, ask 영어 돼요? (yeongeo dwaeyo, "Do you speak English?"). Check official sources on interpretation support.

Say 경찰 불러 주세요 (gyeongchal bulleo juseyo, "Please call the police"). If you can, call 112 yourself. To find a police station, ask 경찰서 어디예요? (gyeongchalseo eodiyeyo). Small neighborhood police offices are called 지구대 (jigudae) or 파출소 (pachulso), and they can help travelers too.

Say 구급차 불러 주세요 (gugeupcha bulleo juseyo, "Please call an ambulance"). Or call 119 yourself and briefly explain, such as 사람이 다쳤어요 (sarami dachyeosseoyo, "Someone is hurt"). Telling them your location, how many people are hurt and whether they are conscious helps responders.

Shout 불이야! (buriya, "Fire!") loudly to warn others. Then evacuate immediately and call 119. Inside buildings, don't use the elevator; take the stairs if it is safe to do so. If there's smoke, stay low and cover your nose and mouth. Follow the green emergency exit signs (비상구, bisanggu).

Say 지갑을 잃어버렸어요 (jigabeul ireobeoryeosseoyo, "I lost my wallet") or 휴대폰을 잃어버렸어요 (hyudaeponeul ireobeoryeosseoyo, "I lost my phone"). Report it at a nearby police office, and search the police's Police Civil Service 24 (경찰민원24), which took over the LOST112 lost-and-found service in January 2026. Contact your card company right away to block your cards.

Say 도둑맞았어요 (dodungmajasseoyo, "I was robbed") or 소매치기당했어요 (somaechigidanghaesseoyo, "I was pickpocketed"). Call 112 or go to a police station and explain what was taken, when and where. If you need it for insurance, ask for a police report confirmation document.

Say 아이를 잃어버렸어요 (aireul ireobeoryeosseoyo, "I've lost my child"), ask people nearby for help and call 112 immediately. The police missing children center at 182 also takes reports and inquiries. Describe your child's age, clothing and where you last saw them. In malls and amusement parks, also alert the information desk so they can make announcements.

Say 사고가 났어요 (sagoga nasseoyo, "There's been an accident"). For a traffic accident, say 교통사고가 났어요 (gyotongsagoga nasseoyo). Call 119 if anyone is injured and 112 if police are needed. Move to a safe spot first, then explain what happened.

Shout 사람이 쓰러졌어요 (sarami sseureojyeosseoyo, "Someone has collapsed") and call 119. Asking a specific person, 119 불러 주세요 (illilgu bulleo juseyo, "Please call 119"), gets help faster than asking the crowd. Follow the instructions of the 119 dispatcher until help arrives.

Say 한국어 못해요 (hangugeo motaeyo, "I can't speak Korean") or 한국어 잘 몰라요 (hangugeo jal mollayo, "I don't know Korean well"). Then ask 영어 하시는 분 있어요? (yeongeo hasineun bun isseoyo, "Is there anyone who speaks English?"). In urgent situations, show a translation app screen.

For problems like a lost passport, you may need to contact your country's embassy or consulate. Say 대사관에 연락하고 싶어요 (daesagwane yeollakago sipeoyo, "I'd like to contact my embassy"). Save your embassy's contact details on your phone before you travel, and ask the police about getting a loss report.

For non-urgent travel questions or interpretation, call the Korea Travel Hotline at 1330. It offers tourism information and interpretation in several languages. If lives or safety are at risk, call 112 (police) or 119 (fire and ambulance) first, since those are the emergency lines.

In Korea, phones receive emergency alert messages, called 재난 문자 (jaenan munja), during disasters such as earthquakes, heavy rain or heat waves. They often arrive with a loud alarm and include evacuation or safety instructions. Use an official safety app or a translation app to understand the content.

An earthquake is 지진 (jijin). Shout 지진이에요! (jijinieyo, "It's an earthquake!"). While shaking, take cover under a table, and once it stops, move to an open area outside. Shelters are called 대피소 (daepiso), so follow the signs. Check official safety guidance for detailed instructions.

위험해요 (wiheomhaeyo) means "It's dangerous" and is used to warn someone. 조심하세요 (josimhaseyo) means "Be careful" and is common in everyday life too. In urgent moments, people shout short words like 조심! (josim, "Careful!") or 비켜요! (bikyeoyo, "Move!"). You'll also see 위험 on warning signs.

하지 마세요 (haji maseyo) means "Don't do that" or "Stop." If someone touches you or acts in a way you don't want, say it clearly: 하지 마세요! or 만지지 마세요 (manjiji maseyo, "Don't touch me"). If you feel threatened, move to a crowded place and call 112.

Say 숨을 못 쉬겠어요 (sumeul mot swigesseoyo, "I can't breathe") or 가슴이 아파요 (gaseumi apayo, "My chest hurts") and call 119 immediately. These symptoms can be serious, so don't wait it out. Ask someone nearby, 119 불러 주세요 (illilgu bulleo juseyo, "Please call 119").

Your location is the most important information. Mention nearby landmarks, subway exits or shop names, such as ○○역 ○번 출구 앞이에요 (○○yeok ○beon chulgu apieyo, "I'm in front of Exit ○ of ○○ Station"). Reading the address from your map app also helps, as do location plates on poles or buildings.

Save your accommodation address in Korean, and note 112, 119, 1330 and your embassy's number on your phone. If you have allergies or medical conditions, carry a note written in Korean. Learning words like 도와주세요 (dowajuseyo, help), 아파요 (apayo, it hurts), 경찰 (gyeongchal, police) and 구급차 (gugeupcha, ambulance) helps you stay calm.