Korea sends disaster alerts straight to every phone on a Korean network. The two serious levels ring loudly and show key words in English (“Earthquake”, “Heavy rain”); ordinary notices are in Korean only. For full alerts in English and 21 other languages, install the free Emergency Ready App (안전디딤돌). In an emergency call 119 (fire, ambulance) or 112 (police); 1330 interprets.
October is typhoon season
On average 0.1 typhoons affect Korea in October (1991–2020). Check the Korea weather page for the 10-day forecast.
The three kinds of alert
| On your phone | What it is | Sound and language |
|---|---|---|
| 위급재난문자 | Highest level — war, air raid, major earthquake | Loud alarm; key words also in English |
| 긴급재난문자 | Emergency — natural disasters, large accidents | Alarm; key words also in English |
| 안전안내문자 | Safety information — weather warnings, local notices, missing persons | Normal notification; Korean only |
The English key words were added in February 2024 for the two alarm levels. The rest of the message stays in Korean — copy it into a translator if you need the details.
Korean words you will see in alerts
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 지진 | Earthquake |
| 호우 | Heavy rain |
| 태풍 | Typhoon |
| 폭염 | Heat wave |
| 한파 | Cold wave |
| 대설 | Heavy snow |
| 산불 | Wildfire |
| 실종 | Missing person (a search notice) |
| 대피 | Evacuate |
| 주의보 | Advisory (lower level) |
| 경보 | Warning (higher level) |
| 무정차 통과 | Trains pass through (a station) without stopping |
| 운행 중단 | Service suspended |
| 지연 | Delay |
Subway disruption notices use the last three. Live notices: Seoul subway alerts now.
Emergency and help numbers
| Number | For |
|---|---|
| 112 | Police |
| 119 | Fire, ambulance and medical emergencies — also tells you which hospital or pharmacy is open |
| 1330 | Korea Travel Hotline — interpretation and travel help (+82-2-1330 from abroad) |
| 1345 | Immigration Contact Center |
| 120 | Seoul Dasan call center (02-120, +82-2-731-2120 from abroad) |
Emergency Ready App (안전디딤돌)
- Run by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety since 2014.
- Disaster alerts, shelters and safety guides in 22 languages, including English, Chinese and Japanese (expanded from three languages in June 2026; some older government pages still say three).
Typhoons by month
| Month | Typhoons affecting Korea (average) |
|---|---|
| June | 0.3 |
| July | 1 |
| August | 1.2 |
| September | 0.8 |
| October | 0.1 |
About 25 typhoons form in the western Pacific each year; on average 3.4 reach Korea.
Earthquakes
Korea records about 73 quakes of magnitude 2.0 or more a year (average since 1999). In 2025 there were 79 and only 4 reached magnitude 3.0; the largest inland quake near Seoul since 1978 was M3.3 in Yeoncheon (May 2025).
Also: Air quality today · Pharmacies & ERs · Lost something?
seoul-subway-delays-alerts-nowpharmacies-emergency-rooms-myeongdong-jung-gu😷 Air quality🌦️ Korea weather
FAQ
Will I get emergency alerts on a foreign phone in Korea?
Alerts are broadcast to phones on Korean mobile networks. The two highest levels (위급·긴급) sound an alarm and show the key words in English as well as Korean; everyday safety notices (안전안내) are in Korean only. For full alerts in your language, install the government’s Emergency Ready App (안전디딤돌).
What does 무정차 통과 mean on a subway alert?
Trains pass through that station without stopping — usually because of a protest, crowding or an incident. Get off at the station before or after.
When is typhoon season in Korea?
June to October. On average (1991–2020) 3.4 typhoons a year affect Korea, most in August (1.2) and July (1.0), then September (0.8).
Does Korea have earthquakes?
Small ones. Since 1999 Korea has averaged 72.8 earthquakes of magnitude 2.0 or more a year; in 2025 there were 79, the largest M3.7 at sea off Taean. Most are not felt.
What number do I call in an emergency?
119 for fire, ambulance and medical emergencies, 112 for police, and 1330 for interpretation and travel help. The old 1339 medical line was merged into 119 in 2013.
Sources (checked 2026-10-01): Ministry of the Interior and Safety — alert levels · Seoul — Emergency Ready App · KMA — typhoon statistics · KMA — 2025 earthquake report. Rules and prices change — the official page wins if it differs. Page rebuilt 2026-10-01.
