Case Explained: Seeking help after being victimized by crime (2) – Support for crime victims – Legal Perspective

After you talk to the police, you should seek out other forms of help.

Korea’s Crime Victim Protection Act specifies types of emergency help and the government’s obligation to provide it. But Article 23 stipulates that relief for foreign nationals is applicable only under certain conditions: a cross-guarantee agreement exists with the person’s home country, the person has a valid resident visa, is married to a Korean citizen, or is raising a child born out of such a relationship.

Under Article 7, the government is mandated to formulate plans necessary to provide counselling, medical services, payments or relief funds, legal aid, employment assistance, dwelling support, and other measures to protect the victim. Crime victims are eligible to consult with a criminal investigator or attend trials and other proceedings to give statements.

Even if one is not subject to the assistance stipulated by law, any foreign victim in Korea can seek help from the local authorities.

Call the police hotline for public petitions at 182, the 1345 immigration hotline, or visit a multicultural family support center or other community center for more information about the kinds of help available. You will need your ID and documents proving the type of damage you sustained, such as evidence of an accident or a medical diagnosis.

The 1345 immigration hotline provides consultations on a range of issues, including how to get interpretation services. It operates between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m., with service available in 20 languages, including Korean, Chinese, English, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Mongolian, Indonesian and French.

Service after 6 p.m. is provided only in Korean, English and Chinese.

For help with specific labor-related issues, check this series’ article on “Working in Korea as a foreigner: Must-know laws and tips.”

The nation’s first “One-Stop Support Center for Crime Victims” opened in 2024 to provide legal, psychological, welfare, employment and financial support. The center is located on the third floor of the Seoul Women’s Plaza in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, and can be contacted at 1577-1701.

Note that it is possible to get basic consultations in English and file a damage report at the one-stop support center, but additional foreign-language services are relayed to the 120 Dasan Call Center.