[2026 Emergency Guide] Lost Passport in South Korea: LOST112 Police Reports, Foreign Embassies in Seoul & 1330 Helpline Support
Lost or had your passport stolen while traveling or living in South Korea? Step-by-step emergency action plan covering local police station reporting, searching the national LOST112 portal, visiting foreign embassies in Seoul for emergency passports, updating Korean immigration records (1345 hotline), and 24/7 multilingual interpretation support via 1330.
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- Overview: Key requirements and essential steps for Healthcare & Safety
- Source Authority: Based on South Korean government and ministry public guidelines
- Action: Review key details below before submitting applications or visiting
01 1. [Key Takeaways] Lost Passport in Korea: The 4-Step Emergency Action Plan
If you lose your physical passport in South Korea, follow these 4 steps in order: (1) Visit the nearest Korean Police Station (지구대 / 파출소) to obtain an official Certificate of Lost Property Report (분실신고 접수증) and search the nationwide LOST112 system, (2) Book an emergency appointment at your home country's embassy in Seoul to receive an Emergency Passport or Travel Document, (3) Contact Korea Immigration (1345) to update your passport number and obtain departure clearance, and (4) Notify your airline to update your flight booking e-ticket.
Crucial Relief: South Korea is globally recognized as one of the safest countries with the highest lost property return rates (over 85% of lost items in subways, taxis, and cafes are safely turned into police stations). Check LOST112 (lost112.go.kr) first before declaring it permanently lost.
Step | Location / Authority | Required Documents | Key Actions & Numbers Step 1: Police Report & LOST112 | Nearest Police Box (지구대) / Police Station | ID photocopy, hotel address, place of loss | Obtain official 'Lost Property Certificate' + Search lost112.go.kr database Step 2: Home Embassy Visit | Foreign Embassy in Seoul (Gwanghwamun/Itaewon/Gangnam) | Police report, 2 passport photos, copy of lost passport, fee ($50~$150) | Issue same-day Emergency Passport (단수여권) or Emergency Travel Certificate Step 3: Korea Immigration Update | Seoul Immigration Office / Airport Office (Hotline: 1345) | New emergency passport + Police report | Transfer entry stamp / biometric link to prevent departure gate alarms Step 4: 24/7 Translation Help | 1330 Korea Travel Helpline (Free Call) | No documents required | 24/7 3-way live interpretation in English, Japanese, Chinese & Russian
02 2. Major Foreign Embassies in Seoul & Emergency Contact Directory
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03 3. 24/7 Emergency Helplines & Non-Governmental (NGO) Support in Korea
1. 1330 Korea Travel Helpline (Korea Tourism Organization - KTO):
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Dial `1330` from any Korean phone or `+82-2-1330` from roaming phones (or download the free 1330 App for free audio/chat). Provides real-time 3-way live translation with Korean police officers, taxi dispatchers, and subway lost-and-found centers in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian.
2. 1345 Korea Immigration Contact Center (Ministry of Justice):
Operates in 20 languages to assist expats and tourists with emergency visa extensions, lost ARC replacement, and airport departure validation.
3. Seoul Global Center (SGC):
Located near Jongno, providing free legal consultations, emergency translation, and foreigner grievance support (Tel: 02-2075-4180).
04 4. How to Search Korea's National Lost Property Portal (LOST112)
Detailed Information Matrix
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| 1330 Korea Travel Helpline (24/7 Multilingual Support) | Nationwide 24/7 Free Tourist Assistance | Dial 1330 (English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian), 3-Way Police Translation, Subway/Taxi Lost Property Tracing | Official Link ↗ |
| LOST112 National Police Lost & Found Portal | Korean National Police Agency | Real-time Nationwide Search for Lost Passports, Wallets, Phones, and Bag Registrations | Official Link ↗ |
| 1345 Korea Immigration Contact Center | Ministry of Justice | 20-Language Consular & Visa Hotline, Emergency Departure Verification, ARC Replacement | Official Link ↗ |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
QCan I board an international flight departing Incheon Airport without my original physical passport?
No. Airlines cannot issue boarding passes without a valid passport. You must present an official Emergency Passport (단수여권) or Emergency Travel Document issued by your home embassy in Seoul.
QIs a police report required by my embassy to issue an emergency passport in Seoul?
Yes. Almost all embassies (including US, UK, Australia, and European missions) require an official Korean Police 'Certificate of Lost Property Report' (분실신고 접수증) before issuing a temporary replacement passport.
QHow can I communicate with a Korean police officer if I don't speak Korean?
Dial 112 for police and immediately say 'English, please'. The dispatcher will connect a 3-way professional police interpreter within 30 seconds. Alternatively, call 1330 for free travel interpretation.
References & Official Sources
※ This guide is drafted in adherence to official notices from South Korean ministries and authorized public agencies.
- https://english.visitkorea.or.kr
- https://www.lost112.go.kr
- https://www.hikorea.go.kr
- https://kr.usembassy.gov
- https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=api%7C13694%7C39f2a3ba29ba4c09a64878e01-774622%7Cpid%7C774622&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-US%2Factivity%2F1163-arex-incheon-airport-express-seoul%2F
- https://airalo.pxf.io/c/1209822/1310283/15608?sharedID=774622_&subId1=b82b7edd9de44f52b0f35daac-774622&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airalo.com%2Fsouth-korea-esim
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