How do I go to the emergency room in Korea?
I need to go to the emergency room in Korea. What should I expect, how much will it cost, and what do I need to know as a foreigner?
1 Answer
Going to a Korean emergency room (응급실) is manageable once you know what to expect. When you arrive, head directly to the triage desk where a nurse will assess your condition and assign priority. Bring your ARC or passport and your National Health Insurance card if you have one. Major hospitals in Seoul like Severance Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, and Asan Medical Center have international clinics or English-speaking staff, especially during daytime hours.
If you are enrolled in National Health Insurance, you typically pay 20 to 60 percent of the total cost, with the government covering the rest. Without insurance, expect significantly higher bills. For life-threatening emergencies, call 119 for a free ambulance and paramedics will take you to the nearest appropriate facility.
Be prepared to wait if your condition is not immediately critical, as priority goes to the most serious cases. Having a translation app like Papago on your phone is helpful at smaller hospitals where English support may be limited.