Hospital interpretation services

If you can't convey your symptoms properly, you get the wrong care. Always use interpretation.

What is available

1. Phone interpretation (three-way call) — fastest, and works anywhere.
   • 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline — multilingual, 24 hours
   • 1345 Immigration Contact Centre — 20 languages
   • 1330 tourist interpretation — 24 hours
2. Hospital interpreters — large hospitals and some regional centres have international clinics or interpretation coordinators. Request one when booking.
3. Medical interpretation support programmes — some local governments and family centres provide accompaniment.
4. Family centre translation services — available to marriage migrants.

Preparing for the appointment

1. Write down your symptoms in advance — since when, where, and how it hurts.
2. Translate it with an app beforehand and have the screen ready.
3. Note your medications, allergies and medical history.
4. Phone the hospital in advance to ask whether interpretation is available.

During the consultation

• Always ask again if you don't understand. Never pretend you did.
• Confirm exactly how to take the medication — how many times a day, before or after meals.
• Confirm when you should come back.

Where to go

• 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline (multilingual, 24 hours)
• 1345 Immigration Contact Centre (20 languages)
• 1330 tourist interpretation (24 hours)
• Hospital international healthcare centres (large hospitals)
• Your nearest family centre

Questions people ask

Is interpretation available in emergencies? 119 connects to multilingual interpretation. In the emergency room you can also use the 1577-1366 three-way call. See emergency-interpretation-1345.

Does interpretation cost money? The phone services above are free. Ask the hospital about its own interpreters.

Can my child interpret for me? Not advisable. Medical terminology is difficult and the burden on a child is heavy. Use phone interpretation.

Do they translate certificates and records? Document translation is separate. Ask about family centre translation services or local government programmes.

Take care

Don't let "I mostly got it" pass. Much of what is said — medication doses, surgical consent — is dangerous to misunderstand. Confirm important explanations again through an interpreter, and ask for it in writing if needed.

Related

how-to-see-doctor · hospital-visit · emergency-interpretation-1345 · medical-records

Source

Ministry of Health and Welfare www.mohw.go.kr / As of 2026-08