ALT="Foreigner calling Korea immigration hotline 1345. Image generated by AI (ChatGPT, 2025)."

Foreigner Help Centers & Hotlines in Korea (2025)

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Where to Call When You Need Help as a Foreigner in Korea

※ This article is based on official information as of August 2025.

Cover image credit: Image generated by AI (ChatGPT, 2025).

Summary at a Glance

Living in Korea as a foreigner is exciting, but life abroad can sometimes feel overwhelming when unexpected emergencies occur. From losing a passport, experiencing a medical issue, facing workplace disputes, or becoming a victim of crime, knowing which hotline or center to call can make the difference between confusion and relief.

The most essential number to remember is 1345, the Korea Immigration Contact Center, which provides visa and immigration assistance in multiple languages. Beyond that, foreigners can call 112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance, 1339 for medical emergencies, 1350 for labor rights, and 1330 for travel help. Counseling and support lines are also available, such as 1577-1366 for women and multicultural families, and 1388 for youth.

These services are available to all foreigners regardless of visa status or nationality. They are toll-free, confidential, and many operate 24/7. In Korea, help is just one phone call away.

Eligibility & Conditions

Most foreigner help hotlines in Korea are designed to be open and inclusive. Here are the main eligibility rules:

  1. Immigration Hotline (1345): Open to all foreigners—tourists, workers, students, spouses. Available in over 20 languages.
  2. Emergency Hotlines (112 for police, 119 for fire/ambulance): Open to everyone in Korea. Interpreters are available.
  3. Medical Support (1339): Free nationwide. Interpretation available when requested.
  4. Labor Rights Hotline (1350): For foreign workers under E-9, H-2, D, and other visas. Handles unpaid wages, contract disputes, workplace safety.
  5. Women’s Helpline (1577-1366): Supports multicultural families and victims of domestic violence or abuse.
  6. Youth Hotline (1388): For teenagers, including international students. Provides counseling on bullying, runaway cases, depression.
  7. Tourist Hotline (1330): Multilingual information for visitors and residents.

If you are physically in Korea, you are eligible to call these hotlines. Even undocumented migrants can safely use them, as the services focus on assistance, not punishment.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Immigration Hotline (1345)

  • Dial 1345.
  • Select language.
  • Ask about ARC, visas, or extensions.
  • Receive instructions or be transferred to a local immigration office.
  • According to the Ministry of Justice (2025), the 1345 Immigration Contact Center handled over 2.5 million consultations in 2024, with multilingual support requests steadily increasing each year.

Emergency Services (112 – Police)/ Emergency Services (119 – Fire & Ambulance)

  • Call 112 for crime, 119 for fire or ambulance.
  • Say “English please” or your language.
  • An interpreter joins the line.
  • Stay connected until help arrives.
  • The National Police Agency announced in 2024 that more than 400,000 foreign-related reports were processed through 112, and interpreter support is now available in 19 languages nationwide.
  • The National Fire Agency reported in its 2024 statistics that emergency dispatches involving foreigners increased by 8% compared to the previous year, and real-time interpretation services are now available in every province across Korea.

Medical Hotline (1339)

  • Call 1339.
  • Explain symptoms.
  • Receive directions to the nearest hospital.
  • Request an interpreter if needed.
  • Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (2025) confirmed that the 1339 medical hotline handled over 1.2 million calls last year, including poison control and COVID-related inquiries from foreign residents.

Labor Rights Hotline (1350)

  • Dial 1350.
  • Select language service.
  • Report unpaid wages, unsafe conditions, or disputes.
  • Get connected to labor counseling centers.
  • The Ministry of Employment and Labor (2025) reported that the 1350 hotline resolves tens of thousands of labor-related disputes annually, with unpaid wages being the most common issue among foreign workers.

Domestic Violence / Abuse Hotline (1577-1366)

  • Call 1577-1366.
  • Speak in your language through an interpreter.
  • Receive confidential counseling and referral to shelters.
  • Data from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (2025) shows that the 1577-1366 Women’s Emergency Hotline manages more than 200,000 counseling cases annually, with multicultural families accounting for over 15% of calls.

Youth Counseling Hotline (1330)

  • Dial 1388.
  • Available for foreign and Korean teens.
  • Discuss bullying, family issues, or stress.
  • According to the National Youth Counseling Center (2025), the 1388 youth helpline provides support for more than 100,000 teenagers each year, including many foreign and multicultural youths.

Travel & Tourism Hotline (1330)

  • Call 1330 anytime.
  • Multilingual staff help with transportation, attractions, and emergencies.
  • Korea Tourism Organization (2025) announced that the 1330 hotline now provides service in 12 major languages and handled nearly 700,000 inquiries in 2024, including both travel information and emergency assistance.

Regional Differences

  • Seoul: Offers the Seoul Global Center, with in-person legal, labor, and medical consultation. More interpreter availability.
  • Busan: Stronger support for foreign seafarers and port workers.
  • Incheon/Gyeonggi: Many multicultural family centers provide services in Chinese and Vietnamese.
  • Rural Areas: Services rely more on remote interpreters via hotlines, so response times may be slower.

Real-Life Case Examples

  1. Lost Passport in Itaewon: Carlos from Mexico called 112, connected with an interpreter, and was guided to file a report and contact his embassy.
  2. Unpaid Wages: Ravi from Nepal called 1350 in Nepali and recovered 2 months of unpaid salary.
  3. Medical Emergency: Anna from Germany had food poisoning; 1339 guided her to a clinic and provided interpretation.
  4. Domestic Violence: Lin from China called 1577-1366, received counseling, and was placed in a safe shelter.
  5. Runaway Teen: A Vietnamese teen called 1388, received support, and was connected with a local youth center.
  6. Apartment Fire: A Canadian teacher called 119, requested English support, and firefighters arrived quickly.
  7. Psychological Crisis: David, a U.S. exchange student, called 1393 and was connected to mental health counseling.
  8. Lost in Busan: A Japanese tourist called 1330 and was guided to the nearest subway station.

FAQ

  1. Is 1345 free to call? → Yes.
  2. Can I call 112 without Korean? → Yes, an interpreter joins.
  3. Is 119 only for fire? → No, it’s for ambulance too.
  4. What if I lose my ARC? → Call 1345.
  5. Are hotlines 24/7? → 112, 119, 1339, 1330, 1577-1366 are 24/7.
  6. Which hotline helps with labor? → 1350.
  7. Can tourists use hotlines? → Yes.
  8. What languages are supported? → Over 20, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese.
  9. Do I need ID when calling? → Only for immigration/labor.
  10. What if I have no phone? → Ask locals; they must assist in emergencies.
  11. Is counseling confidential? → Yes.
  12. Can I report a crime anonymously? → Yes.
  13. Are interpreters human or AI? → Both, but humans are prioritized.
  14. Can I call from abroad? → 1345 can be reached internationally.
  15. What if I’m hearing impaired? → Use the 119 emergency text app.
  16. How fast do police arrive? → 5–10 minutes in cities.
  17. Can undocumented migrants call? → Yes, safely.
  18. Is interpretation immediate? → Usually within 5 minutes.
  19. Do mobile calls cost extra? → No, toll-free.
  20. Can I save these in KakaoTalk? → Yes, recommended.

Cultural Tips + Common Mistakes

  • Always state your location first.
  • Stay calm and clear, avoid shouting.
  • Keep copies of ID on your phone.
  • Don’t call 1345 for emergencies.
  • Don’t hang up suddenly; police may still come.
  • Always ask for interpretation early.

Politeness matters. A simple “감사합니다” (thank you) builds goodwill.

Insurance & Airlines + Psychological Support

Hotline calls often connect with insurance and travel needs. For medical claims, request official reports from 119 or 1339. Airlines may need documents for urgent ticket changes.

For mental health, dial 1393 or 1577-0199. Universities and embassies also provide free counseling. Emotional well-being is as critical as physical safety.

One Thing Worth Sharing

Many foreigners discover hotlines only after a crisis. Share these numbers with friends and coworkers: 1345, 112, 119, 1339, 1350, 1577-1366, 1330. A simple reminder could save a life.

A Last Line to Keep in Mind

You are never truly alone in Korea. One phone call can carry you from fear to calm, from danger to safety. Save the hotlines today—you’ll be glad you did.

Official References & Application Links

Image & Source Notice

  • All images are either original, free commercial-use (Unsplash/Pixabay/Pexels), or AI-generated for editorial illustration only.
  • Some illustrations are AI-generated and do not represent real places or people.
  • Image generated by AI (ChatGPT, 2025).

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