Ever felt under the weather all of a sudden while traveling?
A pounding headache, an upset stomach, blisters on your feet and you urgently need a band-aid. These things always seem to happen not during the day, but in the evening or late at night. And of course — on a Sunday, on a holiday…
In Korea, there’s a system called 공공심야약국 (Public Late-Night Pharmacy) set up exactly for moments like this. The government officially designates pharmacies that stay open late, and there’s a website where you can check them in real time.
How to Find a Late-Night Pharmacy#
Website: https://www.pharm114.or.kr
When you visit the site, you’ll see a “Public Late-Night Pharmacy List” button right on the main page. Just click it.
A list of currently open or soon-to-open pharmacies will appear, showing the pharmacy name, address, phone number, and hours all at once. Just find one in the area you’re in.
One Important Thing to Remember#
Even if a pharmacy shows up on the list, always call ahead before heading over.
Hours can change depending on the day, and some medications may be out of stock. Copy the address and paste it into Naver Maps or Kakao Maps to get directions easily.
Getting around while sick is genuinely exhausting. Bookmark the site in advance so you can pull it up right away when you need it.
