Are you a pet owner living in South Korea struggling to find resources? Elise, the founder and Admin for the Facebook group The Dog Lover’s Guide to South Korea shares one of her favorite resources, the FREE 1330 service. Read her post to learn how to use the app and examples of questions you can ask.
Table of contents
What is 1330?
The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline is a free telephone and real-time chat service designed to assist people in Korea and those abroad planning a trip to Korea. This invaluable resource provides up-to-date information on transportation, attractions, accommodations, dining, and shopping, making it easier to navigate Korea with confidence. This includes supporting dog owners in Korea with help finding information they need.
Since this post is about pets, you can find info on subway/bus routes (dogs can travel in carriers), taxi fares (dogs can often travel in carriers but each taxi driver has discretion), dog-friendly areas, pet-friendly hotels, or pet-friendly restaurants. The service is available 24/7 in multiple languages, ensuring language barriers don’t stand in the way of exploring Korea.
Best Time to Use 1330
1330 can provide most information between the hours of 10am -5pm Korea Standard Time (UTC+9) Monday – Friday. This is because that’s when most businesses will be open to answer additional questions.
Cost
Although it seems too good to be true, 1330 is completely free for dog owners in Korea (and everyone else).
Available languages
English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian
Operating hours
24 Hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for English. Some languages are served 7:00 – 24:00.
How 1330 Helps Pet Owners
For pet owners, 1330 has been especially helpful in navigating life with a dog in Korea. They provide the latest information on pet restrictions, ensuring that I can confidently visit dog-friendly destinations. Thanks to 1330, I’ve discovered dog-friendly activities and confirmed pet policies for places that don’t always display a pet-friendly icon on NAVER. While my dog is small and doesn’t require weight restriction checks, 1330 is a great resource for owners of larger dogs to verify size limitations before visiting various locations.
For Your Safety And Your Pet
For pet emergency support, 1330 can provide emergency support by connecting international residents and travelers with relevant authorities or services when needed, offering peace of mind for those unfamiliar with the country. This includes helping you find a veterinarian near your home or the closest 24-hour animal hospital.
For human support, 1330 can connect callers to the 1345 Ministry of Justice Call Center, 119 Emergency Rescue Service, KTO Complaint Center, and other related call centers.
My Personal Experience with 1330
I learned about 1330 from the Pyeongtaek Living 101 program hosted by the Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation. I use this service almost daily, and I highly recommend it to everyone! It’s completely free and has saved me countless hours of time and frustration. Since discovering 1330, my life in Korea—especially as a dog owner—has become so much easier and more enjoyable.
Sample Questions:
The following are questions that I personally asked 1330, in English:
- I’m looking for a dog-friendly cafe near Camp Humphreys that allows large dogs?
- Can you provide me with a dog groomer close to Asan Techno Valley?
- What are the top five recommended dog-friendly activities within one hour of Camp Humphreys?
- When does this (included Naver link) cafe open, and all dogs under (added my dog’s weight in kg)?
- What are the pet restrictions for Anseong Starfield mall?
- Can I bring my dog on the KTX train?
- Can I bring my dog to Seoraksan National Park?
After asking these questions, 1330 sent me actionable information that I used. Keep in mind, 1330 may send you information with Naver or Kakao map links so you need to have these apps downloaded. You can learn more about Naver Maps on the South of Seoul blog as well.
Tips for Asking Questions
A few things to remember when talking with 1330 and asking for dog-friendly information:
- Include the weight of your dog in kg.
- Remember there might be cultural things you need to explain more.
- You can send links or images to better explain your needs.
How to Access 1330
There are many ways to access 1330 and ask questions! You can access this resource via telephone or online messaging.
Turn off Your VPN
Turn off your VPN on your phone or computer when trying to access 1330. Otherwise, the 1330 website will be blocked.
Call 1330 via Telephone:
- In Korea dial 1330 from your smartphone.
- If you are calling from outside Korea dial +82-2-1330
- Online voice call( Wi-Fi required for free call)
Write via 1330 Messenger:
If you don’t want to download an app, you can use 1330 Messenger. Here is how:
- Go to this website
- Click on 1330 Helpline Icon
- Click on the open 1330 Helpline Chat
- You will receive an autoreply to choose a language to communicate it. Choose English if this is your preferred language.
- Ask your question. The more detail you provide about where you are, what you need, and where you are looking for information, the better.
** Remember, websites and systems change often. The information provided is that this post represents how the 1330 Messenger user interface worked at one moment in time. Always be prepared for changes that may occur and remain flexible and curious.
Using Facebook Messenger
If you like to use Facebook Messenger, you can also contact 1330 there. Here is how:
- You can start by visiting the 1330 website and navigating to their FB Messenger profile.
- Or, you can directly access their Facebook Profile here: 1330Travelchatreal2
- Once you open their profile, you can click the Messenger button to message them.
- When you message them, you will get an auto reply that asks you to choose a language to communicate in. Choose English if this is your preferred language.
- Ask your questions. The more detail you provide about where you are, what you need, and where you are looking for information, the better.
Messaging 1330 on KakaoTalk
Almost everyone in Korea relies on KakaoTalk for texting. Beyond messaging, KakaoTalk connects to a wider ecosystem of services like mobile payments, reservations, and shopping, though many of these features require a Korean phone number. For international residents living in Korea, using the KakaoTalk profile may feel like the most comfortable way to communicate with 1330. Here is how:
Click via this link: http://pf.kakao.com/_xoRQTK
OR
Access via online chat or call via scanning the QR codes listed on this website.
Support Rex and My Adventures!
Did you find this blog post helpful? You can support more dog-friendy content about Korea in two ways:
Join the Dog Lover’s Community!
If you’re a dog owner in South Korea and want to connect with other pet lovers, join The Dog Lover’s Guide to South Korea on Facebook! This community shares tips, recommendations, and resources to help you and your furry friend make the most of your time in Korea. I look forward to meeting you there!
Additional Articles and an Affiliate Link
I am an Ambassador for Mountain Shiba and write for their blog. If you would like to support our doggie research and articles. You can use our Mountainshiba Discount Code Rex25 for 25% off, we will also receive a little money to fund our Korean research and adventures. Thank you for your support!
Hi, I’m Elise! I’m a military spouse passionate about helping fellow dog parents provide the best life for their furry companions while living in Korea. I love exploring with my dog and discovering dog-friendly destinations, activities, and resources. My goal is to make life easier for dog owners by sharing recommendations, tips, and insights on navigating Korea with your pup.
