Helpful Hotlines & Emergency Numbers

Safety Tips

Seoul is a relatively safe metropolitan city, and students are unlikely to face any serious threat to personal safety. However, it is always best to be cautious.

  • Be aware of your surroundings and of the behavior of the people around you.
  • Follow your intuition; trust your feelings about suspicious situations.
  • Be aware of your passport, wallet, purse, mobile phone and any other valuables at all times, especially on public transit. Do not leave valuables unattended.
  • It is best not to wander alone late at night. Walk in well-lit areas and areas with many people.
  • Travel in groups of people that you know, especially late at night. In particular, you should be careful when engaging in off-campus nightlife.
  • There are no police officers stationed on campus, but there are security alarms and telephones installed on campus (image below) that are monitored by private security. There are also 24 hour security guards stationed in each building. If there is an emergency, contact them for assistance, or call 119.

Helpful Numbers

Refer to the list below for primary emergency hotlines in Korea and a number of official numbers available for foreigners and their specific needs.

Emergency Telephone Numbers
119 In case of fire, call the fire department's emergency hotline.
112 If you are in danger, want to report crime, or need police assistance, call 112.
2228-8888
2228-6566
Severance Hospital has an emergency line open 24/7.
1339 The Ministry for Health, Welfare, and Family Affairs operates a 24 hour hotline in case of medical emergencies. Operators will give medical advice and provide interpretation (English, Chinese, and Japanese) for emergency responders.
1566-0112 Seodaemun (local) police station. 7 am to 10 pm Mon - Friday, 8 am to 6 pm weekends. An interpreter is available.
6981-5478
6981-5510
Seodaemun (local) fire department
2123-3346 Yonsei University Campus Healthcare Center provides general healthcare services and screenings for students and faculty.
1345 The Immigration Contact Center operated by HiKorea offers civil affairs and immigration information guidance, 9 am to 10 pm, closed for weekends and holidays.
120 Dasan Seoul Call Center is a one-stop service for information on life, transportation, and tourism services, including interpretation services for making reservations, placing orders, and communicating with taxi drivers. Interpreters available for English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Mongolian 9 am to 7 pm, closed for weekends and holidays.
1330 Need help with tourism and travel? Call the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline for reliable solutions to all your travel concerns.
1350 (ext 5) The National Labor Consultation Center provides answers to frequently asked questions on 9 areas such as unemployment benefit, wage, and retirement pay. Operators speak English and Chinese. 9 am to 6 pm.
Useful Websites
Seoul Global Center

For profession and legal consulting services through the Seoul Global Center, visit global.seoul.go.kr and follow the “Living” menu to find “General Counseling/On-Site Counseling Service.”

Embassies in Seoul

A list of embassies and their contact information can be found at: www.lifeinkorea.com/information/Comms/embassy.cfm