Travel Phrases — Entry No. 1169
112
emergency-112 · noun
112
emergency-112
[eel-yil-ee]
nounbeginner
Meaning
South Korea’s emergency number (112) for police services. Dial this when you witness crime, need police intervention, or feel unsafe. Critical survival number for all visitors to Korea.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
K-dramas obsess over 112 calls during crime scenes—Itaewon Class, Squid Game, and Taxi Driver all feature 112 dispatch moments. Korean society trusts police emergency response; it’s a cultural touchstone for safety and justice themes in media.
Example Sentences
112에 전화했어요.
Ilipigile jeonwahhaesseoyo.
I called 112. (Reporting a crime)
112 전화해주세요! 도둑이 있어요!
Ilipigil jeonwahhaejuseyo! Doduggi isseoyo!
Call 112 please! There’s a thief! (Urgent alert)
한국에서 112는 경찰 번호예요.
Hangugeseo ilipigulinun gyeongchal beonhoyeyo.
In Korea, 112 is the police number.
⚠️ Don’t use emergency-112 when…
1) Use 112 only for criminal activity or safety threats—not for lost phones or minor disputes. 2) Police response times in Seoul are fast but rural areas may take longer; have a Korean speaker assist if possible.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Itaewon Class — Main character repeatedly involves police (112) in his revenge plot; the number becomes synonymous with justice and accountability.
- K-Pop: Stray Kids ‘S-Class’ — Lyrics reference protection and standing against threats; the safety-focused theme aligns with 112’s role in Korean security consciousness.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.