Hi there! We are @yacdi.medcomms (your pharmacist) and @pary_korean (your Korean expert). 🤝 We've teamed up to make sure you never feel lost when you're sick on a holiday in Korea. Save this guide to find help quickly!
- 1. Step 0: Get Your Korean Address Using Naver Map
- (1) Access Naver Map
- (2) Find Your Current Spot
- (3) Copy the Korean Address
- (4) Identify Key Parts of Your Address
- Understanding Korean Addresses: Road Name vs. Jibeon
- 2. Using the E-gen Website (Map-Based Search)
- (1) How to Set Your Location
- (2) Set Search Range
- (3) Choose Facility Type
- (4) Set Date & Search
- 3. Using 휴일지킴이 약국 (Pharm114 — Holiday Pharmacy Site)
- (1) Select Your Location
- (2) Enter Your Neighborhood
- (3) Search & Filter
- 🗣️ Essential Phrases at the Pharmacy
- 💡 Pro Tips from Your Pharmacist
- 🗣️ Want to Improve Your Korean?
1. Step 0: Get Your Korean Address Using Naver Map
Most Korean medical search sites require input in Korean. Use Naver Map to get your precise address.
(1) Access Naver Map
👉 https://mkt.naver.com/navermapapp
(2) Find Your Current Spot
Open the app or website and tap the "My Location" icon (the target/blue dot icon 🎯) to find exactly where you are.
(3) Copy the Korean Address
- Tap the address or the building name displayed at the bottom of the map.
- Look for the "Copy" icon (two overlapping squares) next to the Korean address.
- Important: Even if your app language is set to English, make sure to copy the Korean (KOR) version of the address.
(4) Identify Key Parts of Your Address
You will need these specific parts for the next steps:
- City/Province: The word ending in si (시) or do (도)
- District: The word ending in gu (구) or gun (군)
- Neighborhood/Road: The word ending in dong (동) or ro (로)
Understanding Korean Addresses: Road Name vs. Jibeon
Korea uses two address systems. To use the E-gen dropdown menus, you need to identify your Jibeon (Traditional) address.
- Road Name Address (도로명): Focuses on the street name and building number. → Example: 135, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu
- Jibeon Address (지번): Focuses on the neighborhood (Dong) and land-lot number. E-gen's dropdown menus mainly use this system. → Example: Taepyeong-ro 1-ga, Jung-gu
💡 Tip: When you look up your address on Naver Map, it usually shows both. Look for the one that includes a "Dong (동)" or "Ga (가)" name — that's the one you need for E-gen.
[📸 Image: Naver Map showing both address types]
For example: 135, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea ⇒ 서울 중구 태평로1가 61-1 (Jibeon) or 서울 중구 세종대로 135 (Road Name)
2. Using the E-gen Website (Map-Based Search)
This is the official government site for real-time emergency medical info.
👉 E-gen Holiday Medical Search
(1) How to Set Your Location
- Look at the three dropdown menus at the top left of the map. Match them with the address you copied from Naver Map:
- City/Province (시/도): Choose the first part of your address (e.g., 서울특별시)
- District (구/군): Choose the second part (e.g., 중구)
- Neighborhood (동/리): Choose the third part, usually ending in -dong (e.g., 태평로1가)
(2) Set Search Range
- Radius (반경): Set your preferred search range (e.g., 1km or 3km)
- Sort (정렬): Choose 거리순 (By Distance) to find the closest facility first
(3) Choose Facility Type
- Institution (의료기관 선택):
- For general health issues (cold, fever, etc.) → Choose ‘의원’ (Clinic)
- For dental problems → Choose ‘치과의원’ (Dental Clinic)
- For pharmacies → Leave it on ‘선택하세요’ (Select)
- Medical Department (진료과): Leave this on ‘선택하세요’ (Select) — this will show more results.
⚠️ If it's a life-threatening emergency, call 📞119 immediately!
(4) Set Date & Search
- Date (진료일): Select today's date
- Open Now (현재운영기관): ✅ Check this box to only see places open right now
- Hospital vs. Pharmacy: Check 병·의원 for doctors or 약국 for pharmacies
- Hospital
- Pharmacy
- Click the 검색 (Search) button.
- Scroll down to the bottom right of the map and click 목록 열기 (Open List).
- The list of open facilities will appear with their names, distances, and today's hours.
3. Using 휴일지킴이 약국 (Pharm114 — Holiday Pharmacy Site)
⚠️ Note: This site works best on PC. On mobile, we recommend using the E-gen link above and checking the 약국 (Pharmacy) tab instead.
(1) Select Your Location
- Choose your City/Province (시/도) and District (구/군) from the dropdown menus.
(2) Enter Your Neighborhood
- Type your Dong (동) or Ga (가) name, or Road Name in the search bar (e.g., 마곡동).
(3) Search & Filter
- Click the magnifying glass icon to search. Then click the 영업중 (Open Now) button in the top right corner to see only pharmacies that are currently open.
🗣️ Essential Phrases at the Pharmacy
When you arrive at the pharmacy, you can show these phrases to the pharmacist.
- "진통제 주세요." (Rom.)Jintongje juseyo, (IPA) [tɕin.tʰoŋ.dʑe tɕu.se.jo] → Meaning: "Please give me some painkillers." → Use for: Headaches, toothaches, or period cramps
- "소화제 주세요." (Rom.)Sohwaje juseyo, (IPA) [so.hwa.dʑe tɕu.se.jo] → Meaning: "Please give me some digestive medicine." → Use for: Indigestion, bloating, or stomach discomfort
- "감기약 주세요." (Rom.)Gamgiyak juseyo, (IPA) [kam.ɡi.jak̚ tɕu.se.jo] → Meaning: "Please give me some cold medicine." → Use for: Sore throat, cough, runny nose, or mild fever
💡 Pro Tips from Your Pharmacist
- 119 (Emergency): If it's a life-threatening emergency, call 119 immediately. They have translation services available.
- 1339 (Medical Hotline): Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency hotline for medical advice and finding open facilities.
- Convenience Stores: Need something simple? Most 24-hour convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) carry basic over-the-counter drugs — painkillers, digestive aids, and cold medicine.