How to Find a Clinic, Hospital or Emergency Room in Korea

Feeling sick in Korea can be stressful, especially when you do not know whether to visit a local clinic, a hospital, or an emergency room. This practical guide explains the differences and what foreign travelers should prepare.

Call 119 for a serious emergency

Call 119 for a life-threatening medical emergency, serious injury, breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, severe allergic reaction, or another situation requiring an ambulance. Police emergencies use 112.

Say your location first. If possible, show the building name, road-name address, nearby subway exit, or a landmark to someone who can help make the call.

Useful Korean

구급차가 필요해요. — I need an ambulance.

여기는 [address]예요. — I am at [address].

영어 가능한 분이 있나요? — Is there someone who speaks English?

Clinic, hospital, or emergency room?

Local clinic — 의원

A neighborhood clinic is often the best starting point for a non-life-threatening illness or minor injury. Clinics commonly specialize in internal medicine, ear-nose-throat care, dermatology, orthopedics, pediatrics, or women’s health.

• 내과 — internal medicine
• 이비인후과 — ear, nose and throat
• 정형외과 — orthopedics
• 피부과 — dermatology
• 소아청소년과 — pediatrics
• 산부인과 — obstetrics and gynecology

Hospital — 병원

A hospital may provide more departments, imaging, tests, or inpatient treatment. Large hospitals may require a referral or appointment for some departments, and waiting times can be longer.

Emergency room — 응급실

An emergency room is for urgent or potentially serious conditions. Emergency departments prioritize patients by medical severity, not arrival order. Costs can be substantially higher than at a clinic.

How to find medical care

1. Use the National Emergency Medical Center’s English E-Gen portal to search for hospitals and pharmacies.
2. In Naver Map or Kakao Map, search for the Korean specialty name plus your area.
3. Check today’s hours and call before visiting. Lunch breaks, weekends, and holidays may affect service.
4. Ask your hotel or the 1330 Korea Travel Helpline for multilingual tourism and interpretation assistance.

What to bring

• Passport or another accepted identification document
• Travel-insurance policy and assistance telephone number
• List of symptoms and when they started
• Allergy and medical-condition information
• Names and active ingredients of current medicines
• Payment card and backup payment method
• Accommodation address and an emergency contact

Registration and payment

At reception, explain that you are a foreign visitor and ask whether English assistance is available. Foreign visitors may need to pay first and later claim reimbursement from their travel insurer. Procedures differ by hospital and insurance policy.

Before leaving, request the documents your insurer requires. These may include a medical receipt, detailed bill, diagnosis document, prescription, or medical certificate. Confirm the exact requirements with your insurer.

Useful Korean

외국인 여행자예요. 진료를 받을 수 있나요? — I am a foreign traveler. Can I see a doctor?

여행자보험 청구용 서류가 필요해요. — I need documents for a travel-insurance claim.

진료비 영수증과 세부내역서를 주세요. — Please give me the medical receipt and itemized bill.

Getting medicine after the visit

If the doctor issues a prescription, you usually take it to a pharmacy marked 약국. A pharmacy located near the clinic or hospital is often convenient, but check its opening hours.

Language and accessibility

English service is not guaranteed at every facility. Prepare a short translated note with your symptoms, allergies, existing conditions, and current medicines. Translation apps are helpful, but they should not replace professional interpretation for critical decisions.

Before your trip

• Buy travel medical insurance and save the emergency-assistance number.
• Bring necessary medicines legally, in original packaging, with supporting documents.
• Save 119, 112, and 1330 in your phone.
• Keep your accommodation address in Korean.
• Know where the nearest clinic and emergency room are.

Safety note: This article is general travel information and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you believe the situation is serious, call 119 or seek professional medical care immediately. Facility hours and services can change, so confirm them before visiting.