Language help and interpretation for patients in Korea
Three public services help visitors who do not speak Korean: the Medical Korea Information Center on 1577-7129 for questions about medical services, the 1330 Korea Travel Helpline for travel help and interpretation, and the volunteer bbb Korea line on 1588-5644 for phone interpretation. For the treatment itself, ask your hospital before you book whether it provides an interpreter.
Last reviewed: 4 October 2026
Who can you call for help in your own language?
Use the Medical Korea Information Center for medical questions and complaints, 1330 for travel information and interpretation, and bbb Korea when you need someone to interpret a conversation over the phone.
| Service | Number | Languages | Hours (Korea time) | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Korea Information Center | 1577-7129 in Korea, +82-2-1577-7129 from abroad | English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian | 09:00 to 18:00, daily | Information on medical services, visa questions, help with reservations, complaints and medical disputes |
| 1330 Korea Travel Helpline | 1330 in Korea, +82-2-1330 from abroad | Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay | 07:00 to midnight, every day, by phone and chat | Tourist information, interpretation and tourist complaints |
| bbb Korea | 1588-5644 in Korea, +82-2-818-1500 from abroad | 20 languages, including English, Japanese and Chinese | Volunteers answer on their own phones | Free phone interpretation. You pay only the call charge. |
| 1345 Immigration Contact Center | 1345 in Korea | 20 languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Russian and Arabic | Weekdays 09:00 to 22:00. After 18:00 only Korean, English and Chinese. | Questions about immigration and your stay |
What does the Medical Korea Information Center do?
It is a public information center for international patients, run under the Korea Health Industry Development Institute. It provides consultation and information on medical services in Korea and takes complaints about medical institutions.
There are two walk-in centers. The Seoul center is on level B2 of the Seoul Station Airport Railroad, 378 Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, open daily from 09:00 to 18:00. The Incheon Airport center is at Gate 7 on the first floor of Terminal 1, open daily from 09:00 to 21:00.
- Visa consultation and information on medical institutions
- Help with making reservations
- Complaints about Korean medical institutions
- Consultation on medical disputes, with support for transfer to the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency
- Reports of illegal brokerage
Can someone interpret during your hospital visit?
Ask the hospital before you book. The public lines work by phone: bbb Korea volunteers interpret over the phone only, do not come to the hospital, and cannot negotiate prices or make bookings for you.
- Ask whether the hospital has staff or an interpreter for your language, and whether there is a charge.
- Ask for an interpreter before you sign a consent form if you do not fully understand it.
- For written questions before you travel, the TripDoc app translates your messages to the hospital and its replies.
What should you prepare if you do not speak Korean?
Prepare your medical information in writing and save the helpline numbers before you fly. Written information avoids mistakes that happen in spoken interpretation.
- A written summary of your medical history, allergies and current medicines, in English or Korean
- The name and address of your hospital and accommodation in Korean, for taxis
- The numbers 119, 1330 and 1577-7129 saved in your phone
- A request to the hospital for documents in a language you can read
Which number is for infectious disease questions?
1339 is the call center of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. It gives information on infectious diseases and takes reports 24 hours a day, every day, and is toll-free inside Korea. It is not a general medical emergency line.
For help in a foreign language, the agency directs callers to 1345, the Immigration Contact Center. In a medical emergency, call 119.
Rules and contact details change
This page summarizes official information as of the date shown. Entry rules, tax rules, phone numbers and opening hours change, and some depend on your nationality.
It is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Confirm the details on the official sites listed under Sources before you book or travel.
Sources
Checked on 4 October 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the official source before you travel.
- Medical Korea: Medical Korea Information Center
- VisitKorea (Korea Tourism Organization): 1330 Travel Helpline
- Korea Policy Briefing, 29 July 2026: 1330 operating hours and channels (in Korean)
- bbb Korea: how to use the interpretation service (in Korean)
- Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency: Call Center
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