If You Get Sick Abroad... Call 119 for Consultation

Fire Agency's 'Overseas Korean 119 Emergency Medical Consultation' Service

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The National Fire Agency announced on the 26th that it is operating the 'Overseas Korean 119 Emergency Medical Consultation Service' to ensure the safety of nationals residing abroad.

The 119 Emergency Medical Consultation Service provides overseas Koreans with 24/7 access to emergency medicine specialists stationed at the 119 Comprehensive Situation Room, offering ▲emergency treatment methods ▲guidance on purchasing and taking medications, and also includes ▲collaboration with related agencies (Consular Call) to ensure the safety of overseas nationals.

Last year, 3,811 overseas Koreans (an average of 10.4 people per day) used this service, and especially in the fourth quarter of last year, when demand for overseas travel began to increase, 1,228 people used it, marking a 117% increase compared to the fourth quarter of the previous year (566 people). The majority of users were in their 20s and 30s, who frequently stay abroad for travel or study, accounting for 43.6%, and mainly used KakaoTalk messenger (39.9%), with requests primarily for medical consultations (47.3%) and medication guidance (27.8%).

The 119 Emergency Medical Consultation Service can be easily and quickly accessed anytime and anywhere via phone, email, internet consultation, and KakaoTalk, so nationals planning to travel or residing abroad are advised to familiarize themselves with the service in advance for emergencies.

Um Junwook, head of the National Fire Agency 119 Comprehensive Situation Room, stated, “We are making our best efforts to fulfill the state's duty to protect overseas nationals, and we will further expand the methods of service use and consultation scope and improve quality in the future.”