Public Services Foreign Tourists Can Use in Korea

A Practical Guide for Visitors

Korea is well known for being safe, connected, and convenient for travelers.
Beyond food and attractions, foreign tourists are often surprised to learn that they can access several public services, just like local residents.

Below is a helpful overview of government-related or publicly supported services available to foreign visitors during their stay.

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1. Emergency Medical Assistance (119)

Foreign tourists can call 119 in situations involving:

• Medical emergencies
• Sudden illness
• Injury
• Accidents
• Fire or rescue needs

119 dispatchers may provide:

• Basic English support
• Ambulance transport
• Coordination with emergency rooms
• On-site first aid in critical cases

Cost:

• Calling 119 is free
• Emergency transport may incur medical charges later

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2. Police Services and Reporting (112)

For crime or urgent safety concerns:

• Theft
• Assault
• Fraud attempts
• Missing person reports
• Dangerous or suspicious activity

Tourists can call 112, and operators generally offer:

• Basic translation or language relay
• Immediate dispatch to the scene
• Documentation support

Police stations often have:

• Translation devices
• Access to tourist police support
• A structured process for foreign nationals

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3. Tourist Police (Seoul, Busan, Jeju)

Major travel cities operate tourist police teams, specializing in:

• Helping foreign travelers in distress
• Resolving minor disputes
• Preventing scams against tourists
• Guiding lost visitors
• Language assistance (English, sometimes Chinese/Japanese)

Look for uniforms marked with “Tourist Police”.

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4. Tourist Information Centers

Tourist centers can be found in:

• Subway hubs
• Popular districts (Myeongdong, Insadong, Hongdae, Gangnam)
• Airports
• Major train stations

Available services:

• Free maps and brochures
• Real-time transit guidance
• Event and festival information
• Help booking tours or translating information

Most centers support:

• English
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Occasionally other languages depending on staff

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5. COVID / Public Health Assistance (When Applicable)

During public health situations, Korea provides:

• Official English announcements
• Health station guidance
• Quarantine support information
• Multilingual advisories

Foreigners can usually find updates on:

• Government English websites
• Public notices at airports
• Tourist information desks

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6. Lost & Found at Public Offices

If a traveler loses:

• Wallet
• Passport
• Phone
• Bag

Public resources include:

• Police Lost & Found System (LOST112)
• Metro station lost property desks
• Airport lost property centers

Many allow online inquiry in English.

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7. Embassy/Consulate Support (with public coordination)

While embassies are not Korean government offices,
they work closely with local authorities.

They assist with:

• Passport replacement
• Contacting family abroad
• Consular letters for hospitals/police
• Emergency coordination

Korean agencies cooperate actively to process:

• Reports
• Identity verification
• Travel-document checks

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8. Public Transportation Help Desks

At key transit hubs:

• Seoul Metro service desks
• KTX stations
• Airport Railroad stations

Tourists can request:

• Route assistance
• Fare explanations
• Transfer guidance
• T-Money troubleshooting
• Lost ticket support

Korea’s transit network is extensive and foreigner-friendly.

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9. Government-Backed Emergency Translation Services

Korea offers several language support channels:

• 1345 (Immigration helpline)
• 1330 (Korea Tourism Hotline)
• 120 (Seoul Dasan Call Center)

Most provide:

• English
• Chinese/Japanese
• Help with rules, addresses, complaints, or referrals

These are valuable when:

• Directions are unclear
• Legalities are confusing
• A language barrier arises

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Why This Matters to Travelers

Having access to public services means:

• You’re never alone in an emergency
• Support exists across the city and country
• Most services are trained to assist foreigners
• Korean agencies emphasize safety and clarity

It’s one reason many tourists describe Korea as a reliable and stress-free travel destination.