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Emergency Guide

Practical steps for finding urgent help in Korea.

Call 119 — ambulance and fireSay “English please”. An interpreter joins the call, 24/7, from any phone.

Emergency care is not free in Korea

In many countries the ER is free. In Korea you are treated first and pay before you leave.

119 ambulance: Free
ER admission fee: about ₩20,000–70,000
Typical visit with Korean health insurance: about ₩50,000–150,000
Typical visit without insurance: ₩150,000–500,000 or more

Tests, imaging and admission add to the bill. Amounts are estimates and vary by hospital. Keep every receipt and ask for the itemised statement (진료비 세부내역서) for travel or private insurance claims.

If a situation feels life-threatening, treat it as an emergency and go directly to an emergency room or call the local emergency number.

Bring passport or ID, insurance information if available, and a short list of medications or allergies when possible.

CURA helps with navigation and preparation, but emergency decisions should always prioritize immediate clinical care.

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