Asking for an interpreter when you report
You can report even without Korean. 112 and 119 connect an interpreter as a third party on the call.
When you use it
- You need to call 112 or 119 but Korean is hard
- You are being questioned at a police station or treated at a hospital
- You need interpretation at a government office
Steps
- Call 112 or 119.
- Say the name of your language. "Vietnamese", "中文", "ไทย" — or just "interpretation".
- Wait a moment. The interpreter joins the call.
- Speak slowly and briefly. Location → situation → who is hurt.
- Do not hang up; wait.
What you need
- Just a phone.
- It helps to learn in advance how to say your language name in Korean or English.
Where to go
- Ask for interpretation when calling 112 or 119
- 1345 Immigration Contact Center (multi-language advice)
- 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline (13 languages, 24 hours)
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor (interpreted labour advice)
Questions people ask
Which languages are available? English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and others are supported. Coverage and hours can change, so call first and say your language name.
How long until the interpreter joins? Usually soon, but it can take time. Keep repeating your location meanwhile — location matters most.
Is interpretation available during police questioning? You have the right to interpretation in criminal proceedings. Say clearly that you need an interpreter. Never sign a statement you do not understand.
Take care
Do not delay the report waiting for an interpreter. Saying just your location and "help" is enough to start a dispatch.
Related
emergency-numbers · call-112 · call-119 · what-to-say-emergency
Source
Ministry of Justice HiKorea www.hikorea.go.kr / Korean National Police Agency www.police.go.kr / As of 2026-08