Emergency Numbers
These numbers work from any phone without an area code:
- 112 — Police (crime, accidents, emergencies)
- 119 — Fire and ambulance
- 1345 — Immigration / foreigner helpline (multilingual)
- 110 — Government call center (general inquiries)
- 1577-1366 — Multicultural Family Helpline (24 hours, 13 languages)
- 1644-0644 — Korea Support Center for Foreign Workers
Government Support for Foreigners
Both the central government and private organizations provide programs to help foreigners adjust to life in Korea, including:
- Free Korean language education
- Cultural orientation programs
- Legal counseling
- Employment support
- Medical interpretation services
Seoul Global Center
A one-stop service center for foreigners in Seoul, offering:
- Free Korean classes
- Visa and immigration consulting
- Legal and tax advice
- Business support
- Daily life counseling
Website: global.seoul.go.kr
English: 82-2-2075-4130
Chinese: 82-2-2075-4113
Japanese: 82-2-2075-4105
Email: hotline@seoul.go.kr
Translation Tools
Papago is a free AI translation app by Naver supporting Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Thai, and Indonesian. Available on both Android and iOS. Supports text input, voice recognition, and camera translation — essential for navigating daily life.
Public Services
Post Office
Postal hours: 09:00–18:00. Banking hours: 09:00–16:30. Contact: 1588-1300. International shipping via EMS, DHL (1588-0001), FedEx (080-023-8000), UPS (1588-6886).
Public Baths (Jjimjilbang)
Korean public baths are a unique cultural experience. There are three types:
- Bathhouse — Basic bathing facilities. Around 4,000–6,000 KRW.
- Sauna — Bath + rest areas. Around 5,000–7,000 KRW.
- Jjimjilbang — Full facility with shared common areas, sleeping areas, food. Around 7,000–12,000 KRW. Popular for overnight stays.
Source: KOTRA 2019 Guide to Living in Korea. Contact info may have changed — verify before visiting.