Ambulance costs
The 119 ambulance is free. Do not hesitate to call because of money.
Two kinds of ambulance
- 119 ambulance (fire service) — no charge. Call it in an emergency.
- Private ambulance — used for hospital transfers and similar, and charged. The fee depends on the operator and distance.
Steps
- In an emergency, call 119.
- Give the location and the patient's condition. See the what-to-say-emergency guide.
- Leave the door open and wait. Going out to the main road and waving is faster.
- You are taken to a suitable nearby hospital. You can state a preference, but it depends on the condition.
- Hospital treatment is billed separately.
What you need
- A phone
- The patient's ID and medication details, if possible
Where to go
- 119 ambulance (free)
- Emergency portal www.e-gen.or.kr
- 1339 KDCA
Questions people ask
Would a taxi be better? If the person is conscious and stable, it can work. But reduced consciousness, breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding or chest pain mean 119 without exception — treatment during transport can decide the outcome.
I called when it wasn't an emergency. Repeated calls for minor symptoms may be restricted. If unsure, call 119, explain and ask.
Can I choose the hospital? You can ask, but it is decided by the patient's condition and hospital capacity.
A private ambulance fee looks unfair. Keep the receipt and ask the hospital or a public health centre.
Take care
"Calling 119 costs a lot" is not true. If an employer or acquaintance says that to stop you, ignore them and call.
Related
call-119 · emergency-room-use · emergency-symptoms · what-to-say-emergency
Source
National Fire Agency www.nfa.go.kr / National Emergency Medical Center www.e-gen.or.kr / As of 2026-08