Enter safely,
exit safely
Plan the dive, dive the plan.
In Korea, recreational scuba diving is possible without a separate national license, but depending on the dive site, rules for protected areas (natural monuments, national parks, designated islands), fishing rights, and island landing may apply. The two pillars of emergency response are the unified 119 reporting system and the fact that recompression chambers for treating decompression sickness are limited nationwide.
Having a chamber ≠ 24-hour emergency admission
Many hospitals' hyperbaric oxygen therapy units operate daytime hours by appointment (e.g., Gangneung Asan Hospital, weekdays 08:30–17:30). If decompression sickness is suspected, do not go directly to a specific hospital on your own judgment.
- First call 119 (and the DAN emergency hotline if needed) to be transported to the nearest suitable chamber.
- First aid is 100% oxygen — avoid moving yourself.
Rules differ by dive site
Don't guess — follow only what's confirmed.
Effective 2023-04-07 — the marine zone is open to diving without a permit. But boat owners and instructors must complete mandatory training twice a year, and contact with protected species is prohibited.
Academic work and filming require Korea Heritage Service approval (apply 14 days before landing). Diving is normally for academic purposes. Dokdo Management Office 054-790-6643.
No entry permit is needed for recreational diving, but non-fishers are prohibited from catching or harvesting marine products (Fishery Resources Management Act).
All emergencies unified under 119
With the 2016 emergency-reporting integration, fire, rescue, first aid, maritime accidents, and emergency medical consultation are all 119 (automatically linked to the Coast Guard). The former Coast Guard direct line 122 and former emergency medical line 1339 have been merged into 119. Check the nearest chamber and emergency room via 119 or the E-Gen emergency medical portal (e-gen.or.kr).
- Mandatory-training application channels and schedules, and sites such as Seopseom, Geomundo, Tongyeong Hongdo, and West Sea designated islands vary by season and case — confirm in advance with local authorities and the Korea Heritage Service.
- Recompression chamber operating hours differ by facility — transport via 119 is the rule.
Enter as planned,
exit as planned
Plan the dive, dive the plan.