Phone calls in Korea, for people who don't speak Korean
Practical notes for foreign workers, students and long-term residents. Every number and hour was checked against the official source and dated; nothing here is a sales page. If a call still has to be made and you would rather not make it, the AI assistant can call in Korean and send you the result in English.
Six free interpretation and multilingual help lines for foreigners in Korea, compared by situation: visa and immigration (1345), work and wages (1577-0071), 24-hour life and crisis help (1577-1366), everyday interpretation (1330, BBB 1588-5644), Seoul city services (120). What each one can and cannot do, hours, languages, and what to say first.
For foreigners in Korea: how to read a missed call from an unknown Korean number (010, 02, 070, 1588, 1577, 1644, +82), which callers are usually legitimate, the signs of a voice-phishing call, how to check the number for free, and how to have someone — or an AI — call back in Korean for you.
A practical guide for foreigners in Korea: which clinics actually need a phone call, the free interpreter lines (1345, 1330, 1577-1366, BBB 1588-5644, Seoul 120), what the receptionist will ask, Korean phrases that work on the phone, and when an AI assistant can make the call for you.
Who pays for a broken boiler, a leak or a jammed door lock under Korean law (Civil Code Articles 623, 626 and 634), who to contact first, message templates and phone phrases in Korean, where to get help in your language (1345, 1577-1366, dispute committee 1644-5599), and when an AI can make the call.