In an emergency, call 112 for the police. You can ask for an interpreter, and the call can be turned into a three-way call with one. Crime victims are helped whatever their nationality, and for serious crimes the police do not have to report a victim’s visa status to immigration. If you are the one being questioned, you have the right to stay silent, to a lawyer and to an interpreter.
Key facts
| Police emergency | 112 (text messages to 112 also accepted) |
| Fire and ambulance | 119 |
| Non-emergency police questions | 182 |
| Help in your language | 1345 Immigration Contact Center; 1330 Korea Travel Hotline |
| Lost items | lost112.go.kr, or any police box |
| Your rights if questioned | Silence, lawyer, interpreter, contact with your consulate |
| ID duty | Carry your passport or residence card; fine from ₩100,000 if you can’t show it |
Reporting a crime
Emergencies: call 112. Say “English, please” or the name of your language, and stay on the line while an interpreter is connected. English and Chinese are the most widely supported. Give the address or a nearby landmark; your phone location may also be used.
Non-urgent crimes, such as a past theft or fraud, can be reported at:
- a local police box (지구대 or 파출소),
- a police station (경찰서), where the investigation team takes formal complaints,
- the police online reporting system for cyber crimes, such as online shopping fraud and messenger scams.
For phone scams (보이스피싱), call 112 and your bank immediately and ask for a payment stop (지급정지) on the account you sent money to. Speed matters.
Bring your ID, any evidence (photos, messages, receipts, CCTV locations, witness names), and a written timeline if possible. Ask for the case number and the name of the officer in charge. If you need proof for insurance or your embassy, ask how to get a confirmation of the incident report.
Write your statement in your own language first, then go through it with the interpreter. Read the Korean record carefully before signing, and ask for corrections if anything is wrong. You can refuse to sign something you do not understand.
If you are a victim and your visa status is a worry
Normally, public officials who find someone without legal status must notify immigration (Immigration Act art. 84). The Enforcement Rule makes exceptions. Officials do not have to report when they are investigating crimes such as:
- murder, assault and injury,
- sexual crimes,
- kidnapping, confinement, threats and human trafficking,
- theft, robbery, fraud and extortion,
- traffic accidents.
The same exemption covers labor inspectors investigating unpaid wages and the National Human Rights Commission. This lets undocumented victims report crimes with less fear, though it does not fix their status.
Victim support: crime victim support centers (범죄피해자지원센터) offer counseling, legal help and some financial support. For sexual or domestic violence, call 112 in an emergency or the women’s emergency line 1366, and multicultural families can call Danuri 1577-1366.
Crime victim compensation from the state is available to foreign victims in limited cases: where your country offers the same to Koreans, or, since March 2025, where you are the spouse of a Korean citizen or are raising a child from a marriage with a Korean, and hold a valid status of stay.
If the police question or arrest you
- Interpreter: if you do not understand Korean well, an interpreter must be used. Ask for one before answering questions.
- Right to silence: you do not have to answer questions, and staying silent cannot be held against you as proof of guilt.
- Lawyer: you can call a lawyer and have them present during questioning. If you are detained or cannot afford one, a court-appointed defender (국선변호인) may be provided. See Free Legal Help.
- Consulate: you can ask the police to notify your embassy or consulate.
- Time limits: after an arrest without a warrant, the police must either ask a court for a detention warrant within 48 hours or release you.
Do not offer money to officers, and do not sign statements you have not had translated.
How a criminal case can affect your visa
A criminal record can lead to refusal of extensions or permanent residence, cancellation of your stay, or removal. People sentenced to imprisonment can be deported under the Immigration Act, and some offences, such as drug crimes and drunk driving, are treated especially seriously. Many minor cases between private people, such as simple assault, end if the victim does not want punishment, and settlement (합의) is common. Get legal advice before agreeing to anything.
See Overstays, Fines and Deportation for the immigration side.
Common questions
Do I have to carry my passport?
Yes. Registered foreigners can carry their residence card, or use the mobile residence card, instead. The standard fine for not showing ID when asked is ₩100,000 the first time.
Can I report a crime in English?
Yes. Call 112 and ask for English. For non-emergencies, call 1345 or 1330 for help in your language.
The police took my statement. What happens next?
Police investigate and then close the case or send it on for prosecution. Ask for the case number so you can check progress.
Where can I find all emergency numbers?
See Emergency Numbers and Helplines.
Official sources
This guide explains the general rules as of the date above. Rules change and every case is different, so confirm with the office named here (or the 1345 Immigration Contact Center) before an important decision. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.