Reporting to the police
If you are the victim of a crime you have the right to report it. Protection does not depend on residence status.
Where to report
- 112 — emergencies, when a crime is in progress or you are in danger. 24 hours, with multilingual interpretation.
- 182 — police civil affairs call centre, for non-urgent enquiries.
- Visiting a police station or box — formal complaints and statements. See police-station.
- Online reporting — police cyber crime reporting (ecrm.police.go.kr), e-People.
When calling 112
- Say "경찰" or "police".
- Give your location — address, building name, a nearby landmark. See my-location.
- Say briefly what has happened.
- If you need interpretation, say "통역" or the language name (for example "Vietnamese").
- Don't hang up — wait for instructions.
Worth doing before reporting
- Preserve evidence — photos, video, texts, recordings.
- If injured, get medical treatment and an injury certificate. See medical-certificate.
- Get witnesses' contact details.
- Note the time and place.
If you are worried about your residence status
Reporting a crime exists to protect victims. Assault, sexual violence, trafficking and unpaid wages in particular continue if you don't report. If you are worried, consult 1345, a migrant support organisation, or 1577-1366 first.
Where to go
- 112 emergencies (24 hours, multilingual)
- 182 police civil affairs call centre
- Police cyber crime reporting ecrm.police.go.kr
- 1345 · 1577-1366 interpretation
- 1366 Women's Emergency Line · 1577-1391 child abuse
Questions people ask
I don't speak Korean. 112 connects to multilingual interpretation. Say "통역" or the language name. See interpreter-right-police.
I reported it but nothing is happening. You can ask the handling station about progress. Consult 182 or file through e-People.
I have no evidence. You can still report. Evidence helps a great deal, though — start keeping records now.
I'm afraid of retaliation. Say so clearly to the police. Personal protection measures exist, and stalking and domestic violence have their own protection procedures.
Take care
Calls claiming to be from "the police or prosecutors" are voice phishing. Real police never ask you to transfer money or install an app by phone. Hang up and verify with 112 or 1332 (Financial Supervisory Service). See voice-phishing.
Related
police-station · call-112 · interpreter-right-police · crime-victim-support · voice-phishing
Source
Korean National Police Agency www.police.go.kr / As of 2026-08