Short answer. Since South Korea integrated its emergency numbers, there are two numbers for emergencies: 112 for police and 119 for fire, rescue, ambulance and disasters 1. 110 handles non-emergency government enquiries and complaints 1. Calls are shared in real time between the police, the fire service and the coast guard 1.
Which number do I call?
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 112 | Police (crime emergencies) 1 |
| 119 | Fire, rescue, ambulance, disasters 1 |
| 110 | Government enquiries and complaints (non-emergency) 1 |
Under the integrated service, police, fire and coast guard share calls in real time 1. Use 110 only when there is no emergency 1.
Which agencies are responsible?
| Agency | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of the Interior and Safety (행정안전부), Emergency Preparedness Policy Bureau — mois.go.kr | Civil defence, shelters, alerts 2 |
| National disaster safety portal (국민재난안전포털 / 국민안전24) — safekorea.go.kr | Action guides, shelter search 2 |
| Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (원자력안전위원회) — nssc.go.kr | Radiological emergencies, iodine stockpile 3 |
Where do I get official information during a crisis?
- Phone disaster texts in three tiers; see alerts.
- 안전디딤돌 (Safety Stepping Stone) app from MOIS: disaster texts, action guides, shelters, hospitals and pharmacies 4.
- Emergency Ready App from MOIS: the same information for foreigners in English, Chinese and Japanese 4.
- Radio and TV, which carry civil defence alerts 2.
How should I keep these numbers?
Write them on paper as well as in your phone, with your family's contacts and meeting point. Our guides on the family emergency plan and important documents show how to keep this information when phones or networks fail.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ambulance number in South Korea?
119, which covers fire, rescue, ambulance and disasters 1.
What is the difference between 112 and 119?
112 is for police and crime emergencies; 119 is for fire, rescue, ambulance and disasters. Calls are shared between police, fire and coast guard in real time 1.
Who do I contact about a radiation emergency?
In an emergency, call 119. The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission is the authority responsible for radiological emergencies and the iodine stockpile 3; see iodine.
Is there an app in English?
Yes, the MOIS Emergency Ready App 4.
Sources
- 행정안전부 (Ministry of the Interior and Safety) — 긴급신고 통합서비스 — https://mois.go.kr/frt/sub/a06/b10/emergencycall/screen.do (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 행정안전부 (Ministry of the Interior and Safety) — 민방위 제도 운영 — https://mois.go.kr/frt/sub/a06/b12/civildefensework/screen.do (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 국가법령정보센터 (Ministry of Government Legislation) — 원자력시설 등의 방호 및 방사능 방재 대책법 (제20조의2, 제35조의2) — https://www.law.go.kr/법령/원자력시설등의방호및방사능방재대책법 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 행정안전부 (Ministry of the Interior and Safety) — 안전디딤돌 — https://mois.go.kr/frt/sub/a06/b11/safetyStep/screen.do (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for South Korea, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- 행정안전부 (Ministry of the Interior and Safety) · 긴급신고 통합서비스 checked 2026-10-20
- 행정안전부 (Ministry of the Interior and Safety) · 민방위 제도 운영 checked 2026-10-20
- 국가법령정보센터 (Ministry of Government Legislation) · 원자력시설 등의 방호 및 방사능 방재 대책법 (제20조의2, 제35조의2) checked 2026-10-20
- 행정안전부 (Ministry of the Interior and Safety) · 안전디딤돌 checked 2026-10-20