South Korea
Getting help
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
Emergency services in South Korea
Ambulance: 119
Fire: 119
Police: 112
English language support
The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) operates a travel hotline to provide assistance in multiple languages, including English. The hotline also offers interpretation services, including support for three-way calls (e.g. between British nationals, the hotline and emergency services) from 7am to midnight. Call 1330 to contact the travel hotline.
Remote interpretation services may be helpful in the case of emergency or out of hours support. The following call centres offer interpretation support, including three-way calls, to foreigners in South Korea:
- Dasan Call Centre (+82 2 120) – available 9am to 6pm Monday-Friday
- Danuri Call Centre (1577 1366) – available 24/7
Contact your travel provider and insurer
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
Refunds and changes to travel
For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
- where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
- how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim
Support from FCDO
FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
- finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in South Korea
- dealing with a death in South Korea
- being arrested or imprisoned in South Korea
- getting help if you’re a victim of crime
- what to do if you’re in hospital
- if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack
Contacting FCDO
Help abroad
See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
Help in the UK
You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
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Risk information for British companies
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in South Korea on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.