How to React in Various Emergency Situations

Emergency situations

When you find yourself in an unexpected emergency situation, try to stay calm
and ask for help. Remember that you will receive the same protection under law
even if you are a foreigner and have not properly registered as a resident. See
below for how to report to relevant authorities.

▶ Reporting a crime : 112

• Reporting an accident or a crime
Call 112 to request police assistance. The police will come to take proper
actions. When you call, tell them whether you are reporting an accident or
a crime, where it happened (address) and in which building. You also have
to give your name and phone number. In case you are reporting a crime,
you must give them the time and location of the crime, extent of damage,
description/distinguishing features of the perpetrator(s), their mobile phone
number, their approximate whereabouts, their means of escape and/or the
license plate number of their vehicle.
• Reporting a theft or loss of property
Call 112 in case you had a burglary and/or are injured in a violent crime. Call
119 for emergency assistance. In case you lost your bankbooks or credit
cards, report it immediately to the banks and the credit card companies
to suspend credit approvals. In case you are detained by the police as a
suspect in a crime, remember that you have the rights to be informed, remain
silent and have an attorney. Since you need a trial lawyer only after the trial
proceedings begin, you can request only for your personal lawyer or a public
defender on call.

▶ Call 112 to Report an Auto Accident
Dial 112 and say "There was a car accident" first when the call is answered and
then tell them where and when the accident happened and what major buildings
there are in the vicinity.
• If you are the victim
If you are the victim, remember the offender’s license plate number and report
it to the police. If you can, check the offender’s driver’s license and report the
accident to 112. If you are in shock or injured in your head or neck, make sure
you go see a doctor and get get the injuries examined.
• If you are the offender
If somebody’s injured, take the injured person(s) to the nearest hospital or call
112 to report the accident to the police. Perform first aid while waiting for the
ambulance. You may be subject to weighted punishment if you fail to report
the accident to the police.

Important
In case the victim’s injury is serious, you must call for an ambulance (free
of charge) but if it is not serious, restrain yourself from calling for one to
leave them available for more seriously injured victims. When you hear the
siren from an approaching ambulance, go out and show them in. While you
are waiting for an ambulance, get your health insurance card, cash and/or
other items you might need in the hospital ready. Inform the emergency
squad members of your physician or the hospital you go to.

How to Call
If you are calling on a mobile phone, simply press 112 or 119. You can call
112 or 119 without inserting any coin or card on a public pay phone. If you
know there is a police station or branch office in the vicinity, it is quicker if
you go there and report in person.

▶ Emergency Numbers


▶ Call 119 to Report a Fire
• In case of a fire
First, call 119 to report the fire to the fire department. Then let the neighbors
know about the fire. Be sure to mention that it is a fire when you talk to the
dispatcher because the first station cen send fire trucks or an ambluance
depending on the situation. When you request for help, tell them that you are
reporting a fire, how serious the situation is, the location of the fire, what is
burning specifically and whether the building on fire is occupied.

Important
After reporting to the authorities, turn off the power switch. In case it is a
fire caused by gasoline or other types of oil, soak a large towel or blanket in
water and cover it over the source of the fire. If the cause is gas, shut off the
valve as quickly as possible.
After the above actions have been carried out, try to put out the fire using
a fire extinguisher or water. Do not use water in case of a fire caused by
electric power as there is an electric shock hazard.

• Fire Fighting/Rescue
119 is a system to alert the fire fighting and rescue squads to a fire and enable
them to come to the site as quickly as possible. When you report a fire, tell
them whether you are reporting a fire or in need of an ambulance first and
then accurately inform them of the location, your name and contact number.
It is extremely helpful in an emergency situation be it a fire or an medical
emergency to provide accurate information about the exact location, contact
number and the description of the situation.


Sexual Violence Counseling Centers

The center receives reports of sexual violence and provides counseling. When
the victim needs protection, it also provides a shelter and assists her with legal
proceedings.

▶ Sexual violence, harassment and rape at work
Sexual violence refers to all types of physical, psychological and verbal violence
of a sexual nature, including sexual harassment, molestation, exposure of the
genital and obscene phone calls and communications.
Unwanted physical contact, exposure of the genital and obscene jokes are all
a form of sexual violence. Especially women should be careful not to become a
victime of sexual violence. In reality, many women experience sexual violence
but fail to act decisively because they feel ashamed of the fact. Be courageous,
report the crime and get protection.

Sexual Violence Counseling Centers
A Sexual Violence Counseling Centers receives reports of sexual violence
and provides counseling. When the victim needs protection, it also provides
a shelter and assists her with legal proceedings. You can also use the
treatment programs provided by the Women Violence Emergency Medical
Assistance Center. Call the emergency hotline hotline or a counseling
assistance organization to get appriproate assistance. The phone numbers
below do not require prefixes.
Women’s Emergency Hotline 1366
This is an emergency hotline for female victims. Your call is
automatically transferred to the nearest counseling center. Depending
on the victim’s situation, they provide information on facilities that
can provide counseling, medical services and/or protective shelter.
Counseling and emergency protection is available 24 x 7.
Foreign Worker Human Rights Hotline 1588-1138
The hotline provides counseling for foreign workers and the call is
automatically forwared to the nearest counseling organization.
The hotline is open from 10 am to 6 pm everyday, including Sundays.
The Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center : (02) 576-7128
Sexual Violence Counseling Center, Korea Women’s Hotline :
(02) 2269-2962