How to call 112 for the police
If you are in danger right now, dial 112. It is free, available 24 hours, and they do not ask about your visa status.
When to call
- You are being assaulted, threatened, sexually assaulted or stalked
- You have been robbed, burgled or defrauded
- Someone is injured or looks to be in danger
- You are being confined, or your passport has been taken from you
Steps
- Dial 112. It works even on a locked phone.
- Say "interpretation" or the name of your language. "Vietnamese" or the language name itself is enough.
- Give your location first. If you don't know the address, read out a building name, a shop sign or a bus stop name.
- Say what is happening. Keep it short and clear.
- Stay on the line until the police arrive. If you cannot speak, you can leave the line open.
What you need
- Just a phone. Emergency calls connect even without credit or a SIM.
- If you can, check your location beforehand (the "my location" pin in a map app).
Where to go
- 112 police (crime, danger)
- 119 fire and ambulance (fire, injury, medical emergency)
- 1345 Immigration Contact Center (interpreted advice)
- 182 police enquiries (non-urgent)
Questions people ask
If I have no valid status, will I be arrested for reporting? Protecting the victim comes first when a crime is reported. If you are worried, speak to 1345 or 1577-1366 first.
I don't speak any Korean. 112 connects interpretation in many languages. Just say the language name.
I can't speak out loud right now. There is text reporting. See the emergency-text guide.
Take care
Prank or false reports are punishable. But hesitating over whether "this counts" is more dangerous than calling. When in doubt, call.
Related
emergency-numbers · emergency-text · what-to-say-emergency · my-location
Source
Korean National Police Agency www.police.go.kr / As of 2026-08