Korean Job Discussion Forums

[badpat]

I was recently arrested in Korea for suspicion of theft. This is a bit of a long story, but it should be entertaining regardless if you can't answer my questions at the end.

That said, recently, I was accused of stealing and arrested under suspicion of theft. The true story is, nothing was stolen...rather, I was drunk and dancing around with a stuffed that I had grabbed off a street carnival game. Another person I met that night and will never see again, took one and threw it. The next thing I knew I was being tackled and was bleeding everywhere (I have a 2-3 inch scar on my head that definitely needed stitches). Then after struggling to get up, I saw police officers, and they arrested me and took me to multiple police stations. I am still uncertain if the man who owned the "store" tackled me or if the police did. None of them spoke English, so I waited many hours until a Korean friend could come translate. Meanwhile, the entire time I just keep repeating, "It's Christmas. It's Christmas."

Originally the man accusing me (who had one leg and I could have out run if my intentions were to do so) said that I stole two stuffed animals and that they were worth 250,000 won. I told him nothing was stolen, he had his stuffed animals, and there was no way I was going to pay that because not only did I not steal, but they were maybe worth 40,000 total.

After making my statement and having my Korean friend attest to it (I guess), they let me go. I had to take finger prints, as did she, and check all these boxes, one of which said that no one will hear about this until/if I am convicted of the crime. I asked if I was being charged and they said no. But, if they could not find the other man, this dodgy Bill character, then I would be charged...I asked them when I would know if I was being charged, and they shrugged me off...this all happened on Christmas Eve night/Christmas morning, by the way, I wasn't just saying "It's Christmas" because I was concussed.

So, I go to leave and the man who owned the stand was waiting for me. He came at me screaming with who I assumed was his wife. The police officer who was interrogating me laughed at the man, and took a piss in the bathroom, then went back up stairs. I calmed the man down after he came at me many times and sat down to talk, hoping he would "drop the charges" I guess...I have heard of people settling out of court for more serious situations. I just wanted to go home, and, at that point, if he wanted 100,000 won just to leave the situation alone, I would have gladly gave it to him. So he then tried to tell me that I cracked his fake leg and I owed him 1,000,000 won. I said no. I did not do that. He said 2 mil, then upped it to 3 million.

I told him to make a complaint with the police because they had my information. I then was soon surrounded by his friends who appeared out of no where, all screaming at me not letting us leave.

We finally got into a cab and got out of there after a police officer finally told them to leave us alone, but not before they got my friend's telephone number. They called the next day once, but she has not received a call from them since.

That said, here is my question. What can come of this? I am assuming I will be charged with theft if they do not find Bill, but there was no theft...and, if I am charged, would I have to take this to court? Furthermore, when will I hear about this? I have 2 months left in my contract, would like to come back, and lose sleep every now and then over this ridiculous situation.

Anyone every hear of anything like this? Should I expect it to blow over given the fact that he has no proof but his word-which is scary-and, since he owns a carnival game on the streets I'm I safe to assume he does not have much money or time to fight the situation?

Furthermore, if nothing comes of this while I am here, I would like to come back, as I said, but am afraid that I may get summoned to court for a date after I am out of the country. Since I will not be able to attend, will have an outstanding warrant for my arrest, in turn, not allowing me to come back and teach again in August? That said, I am afraid to contact the police to see what the status of the "investigation" is because I am crossing my fingers that they just threw it in the back of a filing cabinet.


Am I over thinking this? Shouldn't they have done something then and there? Any thoughts? Anyone?

[PatrickGHBusan]

First playing ostrich and sticking your head in the proverbial sand hoping the cops forgot about this is the worst possible thing you can do.

Why?

It will leave you less and less time to deal with whatever happens as your contract end nears.

So..CALL the cops as soon as possible or have your Korean friend do it (by the way you owe that friend big time for sticking with you through such a situation). By CALLING you will get FACTS you can then use to make a decision or perhaps receive CONFIRMATION that you have nothing to worry about.

Since you were drunk, you have no idea who tackled you (heck could have been this mysterious 'Bill' who was also hammered) or what happened precisely.

Theft SEEMS far fetched, disordely conduct could be more realistic but then again its been nearly a month.

Bottom line, get actual information here, especially if you want to comeback to Korea in August. Just waiting and hoping is not a smart play.

Oh and for future reference and with no offense intended, lay off the sauce as it seems it can lead you to trouble.

Good luck.


Secondly, your account was confused and detailed at the same time. That is normal since you were pretty drunk when this happened (unless I miss read your story). If you were so hammered that you picked up a stuffed animal and danced around, odds are you may have done something else and forgot about it. Unless, again, I miss read your story.

[Bramble]

[jvalmer]

For any people planning to coming to Korea later, as foreigners, I wouldn't recommend 'joking' around and causing mischief like you might at home. Stealing a garden gnome and then returning might not go down so well here.

[Forward Observer]

Ah, Korea. Why is always okay when Koreans get drunk and do things like this, but when a foreigner does it...

OP, hopefully you learned a big lesson about Koreans and living in Korea this Christmas.

[djsmnc]

[flakfizer]

Claim the guy hurt your rear end, wear a comically large diaper and then have him over to your apartment for soju. It will all work out fine.

[Captain Corea]

[PaperTiger]

The more people like you that get deported, the better I can support my family. Keep being a jackass, please.

[Young FRANKenstein]

[young_clinton]

This whole thing sounds very strange. For instance why did your friend give out the number?

Also the guy is a complete lowlife. I would have gotten pissed, grabbed the dolll from you and put it back. This guy is a loser and needs to get as much of something anyway he can.

For that reason get a lawyer to defend yourself. Also this guys response sounds unreasonable. Both in the fact that he assaulted you at the scene and that he is harrassing you afterwards at the police station and getting your phone number. Also that he is trying to sponge you for money with his leg accusations.

If he assualted you, and it sounds like he was the one who knocked you to the ground, then the court or the police may see that as a resolution to the issue. In the USA that would be the "law of the street" and that's that. If he wanted to call the police then he should have called the police and waited and maybe tried to hold you for the police.

Another thing is him assaulting you may be more serious than you supposedly stealing the stuffed doll. If he continues ask a lawyer if you can press charges against him.

Like I said this guy is a lowlife.

[seonsengnimble]

[Bondrock]

[pkang0202]

[T-dot]

The vendor is looking for a payday, its not any different back home to fraudulent insurance claims.

If I were you I'd go to a doctor and claim pain, get it in writing and officially documented just in case. I bet that shuts the vendor right up.

BTW, agree with the sentiments above. That other foreigner left you hanging.

Im also sure the vendor would have gone after a korean guy if he knew there wash going to be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.