National Fire Agency encourages use of emergency hotline for assistance or medical advice

119 ambulances parked outside the Severance Hospital in Seoul ( Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald)
119 ambulances parked outside the Severance Hospital in Seoul ( Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald)

The National Fire Agency said Friday that both foreign residents in Korea and Korean nationals abroad can call 119 for emergencies, medical consultations, or assistance in locating open hospitals and pharmacies during the Seollal holiday.

“We encourage everyone to learn basic first-aid techniques and to keep essential medicines such as fever reducers, pain relievers and antiseptics readily available. In an emergency, don’t hesitate to call 119 for assistance or medical advice,” the agency said in a statement.

During the four-day Seollal holiday last year, the agency’s 119 emergency hotline handled 35,453 consultation requests — an average of 8,863 calls per day, marking a 46 percent increase compared to the usual daily average.

The highest number of calls occurred on Seollal day itself, with most inquiries focused on finding available hospital services.

To enhance preparedness for this year’s holiday, the agency has bolstered its emergency medical staff with 230 personnel, bringing the total to approximately 588.

Additionally, 40 more call stations have been established, increasing the total to 124 stations nationwide.

The 119 service is also accessible to Korean nationals abroad, including travelers and sailors. Assistance can be requested through phone, email, the official website, or the Fire Agency’s KakaoTalk channel.


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