Consultations with 119 via KakaoTalk When Overseas: Kakao Service Selected as an Exemplary Case

[Financial News]  
Two out of every three emergency medical consultations for Korean nationals abroad last year were conducted via KakaoTalk. Among consultations for overseas travelers and Korean nationals abroad, the share of KakaoTalk use reached 84.1%.
The National Fire Agency (NFA) announced on the 9th that its Overseas Nationals 119 Emergency Medical Consultation Service was selected as an exemplary case in the Public Safety Enhancement category at the 2026 Kakao Public Innovation Awards, held on the 8th.
The Overseas Nationals 119 Emergency Medical Consultation Service allows overseas travelers, Korean nationals abroad, crew members and passengers on ocean-going vessels, and aircraft crew members and passengers to receive first-aid and medication guidance from emergency medicine specialists and trained personnel at the Central 119 Emergency Medical Situation Management Center when they become ill or injured overseas.
There were 4,977 emergency medical consultations for Korean nationals abroad last year. KakaoTalk consultations accounted for 3,312, or 66.5%, followed by 1,170 email consultations, 474 telephone consultations, and 21 website consultations.
There were 2,490 consultations for overseas travelers and Korean nationals abroad, of which 2,095 were conducted via KakaoTalk.
KakaoTalk consultations were introduced in July 2020. Unlike telephone consultations, the service allows users to send photos and videos, making it possible to assess the condition of an injury and the treatment process.
In May, a 30-year-old man injured the palm of his hand on a coral reef while snorkeling in Hawaii and requested a consultation by sending photos via KakaoTalk. Based on the images, a consultation specialist assessed the depth of the wound and whether suturing was necessary, then provided guidance on cleaning, disinfection, and wound care. The specialist also explained the need for medication and a tetanus vaccination in light of the risk of infection.
The service is also being used for emergencies aboard vessels. Last year, a crew member who injured his wrist after falling on a deck was shown how to apply a splint via video, and the treatment process was checked. In March this year, a patient who suffered an approximately 10-centimeter laceration on the head after falling in a ship’s shower was assessed through photographs. The patient was then given guidance on stopping the bleeding, suturing the wound, and taking medication available on board.
Consultations are available 24 hours a day. When necessary, users can also receive guidance on accessing local medical institutions through coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Safety Call Center.
The NFA plans to develop and distribute a mobile application version of the 119 Safety Report Center, which currently operates as a web-based service, by October.
[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter