The Immigration Contact Center 1345 is a multilingual public inquiry service operated by the Ministry of Justice. It allows foreign nationals living in Korea to receive guidance on immigration, residency, and daily life matters by phone in their own language. Centering on this service, the Ministry of Justice has established a “one-stop support system” so that foreign workers who have experienced human rights violations can be connected to multiple agencies through a single phone call.
Process Overview
- 1. Call 1345
Dial 1345 (no area code needed).
- 2. Select your language
Follow the automated voice prompts and press the number for your preferred language.
- 3. Connect to a counselor
Press the * (asterisk) key to be connected to a counselor in your chosen language.
- 4. Confirm the violation
The counselor will confirm the details and type of harm you have experienced.
- 5. Referral to the relevant agency
Depending on the type of harm (crime, workplace injury, unpaid wages, etc.), you will be connected to the appropriate agency.
- 6. Receive support services
The referred agency will provide the help you need, such as legal advice, litigation support, psychological counseling, or insurance benefit applications.
How to Use the Phone Consultation Service
Phone number: 1345 (no area code needed)
- Call 1345.
- When the automated voice menu begins, press the number for your preferred language.
- Then press the * (asterisk) key to be connected to a counselor in that language.
Operating Hours
| Time | Languages Available |
|---|---|
| Weekdays 09:00 - 22:00 | All 20 languages listed below |
| After 18:00 (evening) | Korean, English, and Chinese only |
Operating hours and language services are subject to change. Please call 1345 or check the latest information on the Korea Immigration Service official information page.
Available Languages (20)
Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Mongolian, Indonesian, Russian, French, Bengali (Bangladesh), Urdu (Pakistan), Burmese (Myanmar), Nepali, Khmer (Cambodia), Tagalog (Philippines), German, Spanish, Sinhala (Sri Lanka), Arabic
Support Process by Type of Human Rights Violation
Once a human rights violation is confirmed through a call to 1345, you will be referred to the appropriate agency based on the type of harm, as outlined below.
| Type of Harm | Referring Agency and Support Provided |
|---|---|
| Crime (assault, sexual violence, etc.) | Referral to the One-Stop Solution Center for comprehensive support including legal advice, litigation assistance, and psychological counseling |
| Workplace injury | Guidance on applying for insurance benefits through the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service |
| Unpaid wages, workplace harassment, or sexual harassment | Guidance on filing a complaint with the regional Ministry of Employment and Labor office |
| Employment relations or foreign worker labor law inquiries | Referral to the Ministry of Employment and Labor Foreign Workers Consultation Center |
Real Support Cases
- A Chinese Korean worker who experienced physical assault at the workplace was connected to the Korea Legal Aid Corporation for legal advice, litigation support, and guidance on medical expense assistance.
- A woman who experienced digital sexual crime was connected to a victim-appointed public defender for legal advice and treatment support.
About the Referring Agencies
One-Stop Solution Center
This is a Ministry of Justice facility that provides comprehensive support to crime victims in one place, covering legal, financial, psychological, employment, welfare, and financial services. Fourteen organizations participate, including the Prosecution Service, the Police, the Ministry of Employment and Labor Employment Centers, the Korea Legal Aid Corporation, Crime Victim Support Centers, Smile Centers (trauma counseling centers), and victim-appointed public defenders. (Located on the 3rd floor of Seoul Women’s Plaza near Daebang Station, Dongjak-gu, Seoul; opened July 2024.)
Foreign Workers Consultation Center
This is a consultation agency operated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea) for foreign workers who entered Korea under the Employment Permit System and for the employers who hire them. It provides assistance with language barriers, residency, and the return process. For more information, visit the HRD Korea information page.
Preventive Measures Targeting Employers
The Ministry of Justice also informs employers who hire foreign workers of their obligations to protect workers’ human rights, in the following ways:
- Text message notifications: Employers receive text messages explaining human rights protection procedures.
- Visa screening link: When an employer applies for a Certificate of Visa Issuance (a document confirming eligibility for a work visa), the Ministry checks whether multilingual “Foreign Worker Rights Protection Notices” are posted at the workplace and accommodation, and factors this into the visa screening process.
How Human Rights Information Is Provided
The Ministry of Justice plans to provide information on “human rights protection and how to seek remedy” in up to 20 languages at every stage of the process for foreign workers, including visa applications, entry screening, alien registration, and visa extension. The goal is to ensure that workers know their rights from the very first steps of life in Korea.