South Korea is a remarkably safe and well-organized country, making it a popular destination for travelers from all over the world. But no matter how well you plan your trip, emergencies can still occur. Whether it's a sudden illness, getting pickpocketed in a busy market, encountering a natural disaster, or simply finding yourself lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood, being able to communicate in Korean—even just a little—can be critical.
This guide covers essential Korean phrases tailored to different emergency situations, along with cultural insights and practical tips for handling them effectively.
Medical Emergencies
Getting sick or injured in a foreign country can be stressful, especially when there is a language barrier. While major hospitals in cities like Seoul, Busan, and Incheon typically have English-speaking staff, smaller clinics and pharmacies may not.
Imagine you’re hiking in Seoraksan National Park and you slip, injuring your ankle. If you can say, “I need a doctor” or “Call an ambulance” in Korean, you’ll likely get faster assistance from nearby hikers or passersby.
- Please help me. – 도와주세요. (do-wa-ju-se-yo)
- I need a doctor. – 의사가 필요해요. (ui-sa-ga pil-yo-hae-yo)
- Call an ambulance. – 구급차를 불러주세요. (gu-geup-cha-reul bul-leo-ju-se-yo)
- I’m in pain here. – 여기가 아파요. (yeo-gi-ga a-pa-yo)
- I have chest pain. – 가슴이 아파요. (ga-seum-i a-pa-yo)
- I feel dizzy. – 어지러워요. (eo-ji-reo-wo-yo)
- I have a food allergy. – 음식 알레르기가 있어요. (eum-sik al-le-reu-gi-ga it-seo-yo)
- I need medicine. – 약이 필요해요. (yak-i pil-yo-hae-yo)
Practical Tip: Bring a small medical card listing your health conditions, allergies, and blood type in Korean. Also, consider downloading a translation app with offline capabilities.
Reporting a Crime
Crimes against tourists in Korea are rare, but like anywhere, they can happen—especially in crowded areas like markets or night districts. Suppose your phone is stolen in Hongdae or you’re harassed on the subway—knowing what to say can be empowering.
- Call the police. – 경찰을 불러주세요. (gyeong-chal-eul bul-leo-ju-se-yo)
- I’ve been robbed. – 도둑맞았어요. (do-duk-ma-ja-sseo-yo)
- My wallet is missing. – 지갑을 잃어버렸어요. (ji-gap-eul ilh-eo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo)
- Someone followed me. – 누군가 저를 따라왔어요. (nu-gun-ga jeo-reul tta-ra-wa-sseo-yo)
- I want to report a crime. – 범죄를 신고하고 싶어요. (beom-jwe-reul sin-go-ha-go sip-eo-yo)
Cultural Tip: Korean police are approachable and usually helpful. Use simple English slowly if needed, or show your translated phrases.
Important Number: 112 for police
Natural Disasters and Safety Alerts
Korea is not known for frequent natural disasters, but typhoons and minor earthquakes do occasionally occur. Emergency alerts are sent via text message to all phones—usually in Korean.
Picture this: you’re walking near Busan’s coast when your phone buzzes with a loud alarm and Korean text. Without understanding it, panic may set in. A few key phrases can help you ask others for clarification or instructions.
- What happened? – 무슨 일이에요? (mu-seun il-i-e-yo)
- Is this area safe? – 이곳이 안전한가요? (i-got-i an-jeon-han-ga-yo)
- Where is the evacuation center? – 대피소가 어디예요? (dae-pi-so-ga eo-di-ye-yo)
- There’s a fire. – 불이 났어요. (bul-i nat-seo-yo)
- There’s an earthquake. – 지진이 났어요. (ji-jin-i nat-seo-yo)
- Should I evacuate? – 대피해야 하나요? (dae-pi-hae-ya ha-na-yo)
Pro Tip: Download “Emergency Ready App” by the Korean government. It provides English-language updates on emergency situations, including natural disasters and public safety alerts.
Getting Lost or Missing Transport
Navigating Korean cities is generally easy thanks to well-labeled subway systems and GPS apps. However, language barriers can become problematic when you're in a taxi or rural town.
Let’s say you stayed out late in Itaewon and the subway has stopped running. You need a taxi and directions to your hotel, but the driver doesn’t speak English. Here’s what to say:
- I’m lost. – 길을 잃었어요. (gil-eul ilh-eo-sseo-yo)
- I can’t find my hotel. – 호텔을 못 찾겠어요. (ho-tel-eul mot chat-get-seo-yo)
- Can you take me to this address? – 이 주소로 가 주세요. (i ju-so-ro ga ju-se-yo)
- I missed the last train. – 막차를 놓쳤어요. (mak-cha-reul noh-chyeot-seo-yo)
- Is there a bus nearby? – 근처에 버스가 있나요? (geun-cheo-e beo-seu-ga it-na-yo)
Traveler Tip: Keep a hotel business card or a digital note with your address in Korean. Screenshots are extremely useful when Wi-Fi is limited.
Lost Belongings or Documents
Losing your passport, wallet, or phone can turn a great trip into a stressful one. Fortunately, Korea has an efficient lost-and-found system, especially within public transport networks.
- I lost my passport. – 여권을 잃어버렸어요. (yeo-gwon-eul ilh-eo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo)
- I left my phone in the taxi. – 택시에 핸드폰을 두고 내렸어요. (taek-si-e haen-deu-pon-eul du-go nae-ryeot-seo-yo)
- Where is the lost and found? – 분실물 센터가 어디예요? (bun-sil-mul sen-teo-ga eo-di-ye-yo)
- Can you help me find it? – 찾는 걸 도와주실 수 있나요? (chat-neun geol do-wa-ju-sil su it-na-yo)
Bonus Tip: Contact 1330, the Korean tourism hotline, for help reporting lost items. They offer 24/7 assistance in English.
Essential Numbers and Communication Tips
Having the right numbers saved and knowing how to request English help can be lifesaving.
- Police: 112
- Fire & Ambulance: 119
- Tourist Helpline (1330): 24/7 multilingual support
- Your Embassy: Save the number and address on your phone
Useful Phrase: I need help in English. – 영어로 도와주세요. (yeong-eo-ro do-wa-ju-se-yo)
Communication Tip: If you’re using a landline or payphone, say “영어로 도와주세요” first to get transferred to someone who can help in English.
Korean Words That Keep You Safe
Emergencies are never planned, but your preparedness can make a huge difference. Learning these Korean phrases or having them written down can bring you peace of mind while exploring a new country. Whether you're facing a health scare, getting lost in the countryside, or navigating the aftermath of a minor crime, the ability to communicate—even just a little—gives you agency and calm in otherwise stressful moments.
Being ready with a few key expressions could help you not only get help faster but also show locals that you're making an effort. And in Korea, a little effort goes a long way.
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