An interpreter will go to the hospital with me?
The doctor said something in the exam room, but I could not understand anything. There is a free interpretation service that goes with you to the hospital.
With MeSic companion interpretation (Seoul, free, 10 languages) and 1345 Foreign Resident Support Center phone interpretation (nationwide, 20 languages), you can get medical care without worrying about the language.
MeSic: An interpreter goes with you to the hospital for free
There is a service called MeSic (Seoul Medical Interpretation Support Group) run by the Seoul city government. It launched in May 2025.
An interpreter really goes with you to the hospital. From registration to treatment, tests, and payment, they stay by your side and interpret for you. And it’s free too.
Basic information:
It’s better to use it for important medical care, like surgery consultations, hospital admission procedures, and explanations of test results, rather than for a regular cold visit.
How to apply: Apply online at global.seoul.go.kr (reservation required 3 days in advance, 4 times a year·4 hours each time). For areas outside Seoul, please use the 1345 Foreign Resident Support Center Foreign Resident Support Center (20 languages). (global.seoul.go.kr에서)
For MeSic, you need to book 3 days in advance. If you get an important medical appointment, apply right away at Book an appointment.
With just one phone call, interpretation is available.
If you do not have time to book an interpreter who comes directly to the hospital, use phone interpretation.
1345 Foreign Resident Support Center Foreign Resident Support Center
Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) Medical Korea Information Center
The good thing about phone interpreting is that you do not need a reservation. You can arrive at the hospital and call right away.
Large hospitals have their own interpretation services.
Large hospitals in Korea run International Medical Center services. They have dedicated interpreters.
Main hospitals and supported languages:
If you make a reservation through the International Medical Center, you can receive treatment with an interpreter from start to finish.
Here is one more useful thing to know. Insurance agents who can speak foreign languages increased by 55.1% since 2020. If you need advice about Medical expense reimbursement insurance (silson insurance) or private insurance, it is also a good idea to find an agent who can speak your language. They help you from signing up for insurance to claiming insurance money.
If you write down your symptoms and questions in Korean before the appointment, interpretation becomes much easier. Use a translation app: Papago (Naver Papago) is especially good for Korean translation. Google Translate is good too. If you translate your symptoms into Korean in advance and bring notes, the appointment will go much more smoothly.
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Choose an interpretation method
Choose one of these: companion interpreting (MeSic), phone interpreting (1345 Foreign Resident Support Center), or the hospital’s own interpreting service (International Medical Center).
MeSic: Reservation 3 days in advance
Seoul City free companion interpretation. Book by QR. 10 languages, 43 interpreters. Serious treatment first.
1345 Foreign Resident Support Center Foreign Resident Support Center: call right away
No reservation needed. Call and choose your language, then you will be connected to an interpreter. Available anywhere in the country.
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MeSic companion interpreting
Seoul city free service. From registration → treatment → payment, an interpreter stays by your side and helps you.
1345 Foreign Resident Support Center phone interpretation
20 languages, no reservation needed. You can just call right away at the hospital.
Large hospital International Medical Center
At places like Samsung Seoul, Asan, and Severance, dedicated interpreters go with you to your medical visit.
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MeSic is only in Seoul, reservation 3 days in advance
For areas outside Seoul, please use the 1345 Foreign Resident Support Center Foreign Resident Support Center phone interpretation service.
Write down your symptoms in Korean and bring them with you.
If you translate your symptoms into Korean in advance with Papago (Naver Papago) and write them down, seeing a doctor becomes much easier.
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Apply online at global.seoul.go.kr. Make a reservation up to 3 days before the treatment date. Serious treatments like hospitalization, surgery, and detailed examinations are given priority. (global.seoul.go.kr에서)
Most calls connect quickly. English, Chinese, and Vietnamese usually have short wait times.
Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) MeSic is only in Seoul. 1345 Foreign Resident Support Center phone interpreting and Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) Medical Korea are available anywhere nationwide.
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This guide is for information only, not legal advice. In emergencies, call 119 immediately.