Do you need help finding emergency shelters in Korea? We’ve got you! Importance of Emergency Shelters in South Korea If you live in South Korea, it’s important to know what to do in an emergency. Natural disasters such as floods, fires earthquakes – as well as civil emergencies such as military threats – can happen anywhere and at anytime. Not only can they happen, the happen often across the country. You NEED to have a plan in place for when you need a shelter. Access to Emergency Shelters In emergency situations, the South Korean government provides access to designated emergency shelters called 대피소 (daepiso). Designated places where people can evacuate temporarily and stay safe until the danger has passed. In the following post we will talk about: What Is an Emergency Shelter? An emergency shelter is a safe public place where people can go to avoid danger during a disaster or emergency. These shelters are temporary. People stay there only until it’s safe to return home. Shelters are open to everyone, including: When Are Shelters Used? The government encourages residents and citizens to use emergency shelters during: In most situations, the government will send out smart phone alerts telling people to evacuate to the nearest shelter. While official alerts often include instructions to move to a nearby shelter, not all emergencies are the same. Available When You Feel At Risk Keep in mind, there emergencies may occur on a smaller scale or without the government releasing an alert. If you feel at risk (even without a clear order) you’re allowed to go to a 대피소 (daepiso) for safety and support. It might feel awkward, but don’t let that hold you back. Take yourself to safety. If you are worried, take pictures of the issues that you need to escape to show to the people at the daepiso you intend to shelter at. Where Are Shelters Located? Emergency shelters in Korea are usually inside public buildings, such as: Look for signs that say 대피소 (pronounced dae-pi-so), often printed in red or green and white (as shown below). Also, remember that when it’s flooding you might not want to go to a daepiso in a submerged area like a basement. Choose one on higher land. Types of Emergency Shelters in Korea Not all emergency shelters are the same. Korea has different types of shelters depending on the type of emergency. Each type of shelter is located in specific buildings and may have different facilities or levels of protection. Here are the some of the main types of emergency shelters you may see in Korea: Type of Shelter Korean Name When Used General shelter 대피소 Most types of emergencies Earthquake shelter 지진 대피소 Earthquakes and aftershocks Civil defense shelter 민방위 대피소 Missile threats or war drills Temporary shelter 임시 대피소 Short-term situations (fire, flood) Cooling shelter 무더위 쉼터 Heatwaves in summer (for vulnerable people) How Will You Know to Go? South Korea has a well-developed emergency alert system. You may learn about an emergency through: In many cases, alerts will tell you where to go and what to do. In fact, sometimes including whether to use a 대피소 (daepiso). If this occurs, please act quickly to follow the evacuation notice. Even if the alert doesn’t mention shelters, you may still be able to access the nearest one if you feel unsafe, need help, or want to wait until the situation improves. Not all locations may be actively functioning as shelters at all times. However, many emergency shelters are located in public buildings (like government buildings or community centers) that may be open during typical business hours (9am – 5pm). Shelters are open to everyone We can’t say this enough, everyone in Korea has access to shelters including foreigners, and they do not require ID or permission to enter during an emergency. What Happens at a Shelter? The emergency shelter setup is designed for short-term safety and shelter, not long-term comfort, but it offers a secure place to wait until the danger passes. This means you may have access to very few comforts and many people also share the space. If you go to a shelter during an active emergency, here’s what you might expect: Important to know: How to Find an Emergency Shelter Here are the a few ways to locate shelters near you: Option 1: Use the Safety Korea App App name: 안전디딤돌 (Anjeon Didimdol)Language: Korean onlyPlatforms: Android | iOSFeatures: ⚠️ Note: The app is only available in Korean. If you don’t speak Korean, use a translation app like Papago or Google Translate with camera mode to navigate menus. Option 2: Use a Map App You can also search on Naver Map or Kakao Map: Option 3: Check City Websites Most Korean cities and counties have official government websites where they post: These websites are mostly in Korean, but you can access the information using browser translation tools. Some city websites have an English version of the site available. However, the English version may have limited inforamation, so it is often best to search the Korean version of the city website. How to Search for Your City’s Website Use this format in Google Search:[City name in Korean] + 시청 홈페이지 (city hall homepage) For example, 평택시 홈페이지 (Pyeongtaek City homepage) Then, search 대피소 on the city homepage to find more information about shelters in your area. Option 4: Call for Help with Evacuation 119 – Fire, Medical, and Natural Disaster Emergencies 120 – City Information & Local Services 1330 – Korea Travel Helpline Languages supported: English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay, Indonesian, etc.✅ This is often the best number to call if you’re not sure who to contact. Helpful Korean Terms If you’re looking for shelter information online, asking for help, or reading emergency signs in public places, it helps to know a few Korean keywords. The following terms are commonly used on government websites, apps, signs, and alerts related to emergency safety. English Term Korean (Hangul) Emergency shelter 대피소 Earthquake shelter 지진 대피소 Civil defense shelter 민방위 대피소 Cooling center (summer) 무더위 쉼터 Shelter map 대피소 지도 Evacuation area 대피 장소 Temporary Shelter 임시 대피소 (limited locations listed on Naver and Kakao Maps – call 1330 to find more locations) Conclusion Emergencies can be stressful, especially in a foreign country where the language and systems may feel unfamiliar. Fortunately, South Korea has a well-organized network of emergency shelters and support systems in place to help keep residents and visitors safe. By learning what emergency shelters are, how to find them, and what to expect if you ever need to use one, you can feel more prepared and confident. Whether it’s a natural disaster, civil alert, or extreme weather, knowing your options ahead of time can make a real difference. Stay safe, stay informed, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you need it. Lisa Peck, MPH, CPHMs. Peck graduated from the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) in Incheon with a Master’s in Public Health and her Certification in Public Health (CPH). Ms. Peck also holds a Bachelor’s Degrees in Linguistics and one in International Studies with a Global Health emphasis. Ms. Peck is Korean American and speaks both English and Korean. She has moved between the US and Korea since childhood, finally settling in Korea after graduating from UAC. In 2021 Ms. Peck founded the South of Seoul Public Health Program which focuses on research and initiatives regarding the health and wellness of multinational residents in South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Peck oversees the SOS Public Health Graduate Student Practicum Program which provides mentorship and training for Master’s in Public Health students. The program works with two students a semester with a focus on ethical UX research design, survey development, and initiative implementation. www.southofseoul.net

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As some of you already know, 1330 Travel Hotline developed an app to support the international community and their daily queries about resources in South Korea. You can read more about the aid and services the app offers in South of Seoul’s recent blog. This blog will focus on one specific function of the 1330 Travel Hotline App, the SOS Button. What is the 1330 Travel Hotline SOS Button? The 1330 SOS button is channel that connects international residents and travelers to an interpreter who can assist with 119 Emergency Rescue Service calls 24 hours a day 7 days a week. As with the general 1330 app functions, the SOS button offers support in a a variety of languages including Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, and Malay. There is one important thing to note about the 1330 SOS button: It does NOT connect you directly to 119. Instead, you use the 1330 SOS button, you get connected to an interpreter who will assist you with your emergency call. For a faster response, it may be better to call 119 directly. However, be aware that you will need to request an interpreter and wait to be connected in this case. Some individuals have found it difficult to communicate to emergency responders that they need a specific language service. Therefore, having an interpretation service such as 1330 at the ready could save precious time in an emergency. That all said, we have (fortunately) not had the opportunity to test the 1330 SOS button. So, please make your best judgement when deciding whether to use the 1330 SOS service versus calling 119 directly. Fun Fact: When you call 119 directly and ask for a language interpreter, the emergency responder will either connect you with a 1330 representative or another language service. More information on direct 119 calls coming in a future blog. How do I use the 1330 Travel Hotline SOS Button? The 1330 SOS button is simple to use. First, open the 1330 Travel Hotline App. Next, click the SOS Emergency Call button on the bottom of the screen. Finally, select your preferred language. Selecting the language button begins your call. Once connected with an 1330 SOS interpreter, let them know that you have an emergency. Your interpreter will take the necessary steps to connect with an emergency responder and assist with your situation. You should only use the SOS button for emergencies! The 1330 SOS team will have limited capacity to help those truly in need if their lines get backed up with non-emergency calls. So, please be conscientious when utilizing this service. The 1330 Travel Hotline is such an amazing resource to help foreigners navigate Korea. If you haven’t downloaded yet, it is available on android and iOS. Lisa Peck, MPH, CPHMs. Peck graduated from the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) in Incheon with a Master’s in Public Health and her Certification in Public Health (CPH). Ms. Peck also holds a Bachelor’s Degrees in Linguistics and one in International Studies with a Global Health emphasis. Ms. Peck is Korean American and speaks both English and Korean. She has moved between the US and Korea since childhood, finally settling in Korea after graduating from UAC. In 2021 Ms. Peck founded the South of Seoul Public Health Program which focuses on research and initiatives regarding the health and wellness of multinational residents in South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Peck oversees the SOS Public Health Graduate Student Practicum Program which provides mentorship and training for Master’s in Public Health students. The program works with two students a semester with a focus on ethical UX research design, survey development, and initiative implementation. www.southofseoul.net

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