Korean Job Discussion Forums

[binderman278]

As far as break-ins and people stealing stuff goes, how is Seoul compared to cities in the US? Do I need to worry very much? Anyone have any experience with break-ins?

[BringTheRain]

Before others weigh in...
I been here like 6 years in and around Seoul and never had a problem. Lived in really highly populated areas too.

Apparently it's a problem in Haebangcheon by Itaewon though.

I wouldn't worry, just get your locks changed when u move in if you want...

Deadbolt...?

[binderman278]

Oh okay. That is what I was hoping to hear.

[Dazed and Confused]

My schools housing has been hit more than once over the years. The thieves went for easy to carry stuff-radios, laptops, jewelry, and cash. Also my next door neighbor's house got hit and she lost most of her jewelry. They then went to my house and cut the screen on my window but apparently I had the scariest poodle and maltese on the planet.
Breakins happen alot here. Lock your doors and windows and get a poodle.

[Hardy Boy]

Look at the number of windows with metal bars. 'Nuff said.

[air76]

Korea is a very safe country...but I think that break-ins are fairly common. I know quite a few people who have had their place broken into....quite a few might be an exaggeration....but I certainly know a few.

[pkang0202]

It depends where your room is. It seems most break ins don't happen through the front door. All the stories of break-ins I've heard in Korea are from people who have come in through a window/veranda.

If you live in the upper floors, its not really a problem. For that reason, most rooms in the basement/1st floor have bars.

A keypad door lock on your front door can really help to deter any breakins. Lockpick guns can easy pick your door lock. If you don't believe me, just youtube lockpick guns to see how easy it is.

[BringTheRain]

I guess it helps that I've lived really close to stations most of the time I've been here. Lots of foot traffic at all times of day and night might scare off potential robbers.

[moosehead]

our officetel in Ilsan was burgled several times.

when I lived in Haebonchon, I heard about a lot of burglaries.

in the provinces, even Koreans I knew had had stuff stolen from their homes.

I think one of the problems locks don't seem to be changed with new tenants, you might ask about having that done.

the old "leave a radio on when you aren't home" has always worked for me. a light too, if possible.

at night, well, just do the best you can. lock windows also, of course.

[Sector7G]

[atwood]

If you live in an apartment complex, you're pretty safe. Just remember to lock your doors and windows. There was a team that used rock climbing skills to rob high-rise apartments.

If you're in what is called a villa, which is like a duplex, then you need to do things like hide money etc. where thieves can't find it because these places are easy to hit.

As mentioned above, most Korean homes have walls and bars on the windows and apartment complexes have security guards. There's a lot of robbbery, which is one reason people buy ugly, expensive apartments rather than a stand-alone home.

[AsiaESLbound]

Could be lock pickers who are probably young men looking for an easy hit on your computer, cash, and anything else he can get his hands on. I suspect it's possible for them to scale up to your 2nd or 3rd floor apartment. I seriously doubt it would happen in the day time, but on a weekend when you are away. I woke up early Saturday morning to observe a lock pick thief in progress I was able to see through a camera next to the door. It wasn't the first time. Why else are security cameras and heavy metal doors standard?

[joeteacher]

I was robbed in Haebongchun while I was sleeping. It was spring, had the windows open and the guy opened the screen, reached in, stole my wallet and my wife's purse...which was right next to us. A little scary. I don't know how the guy got up there, I was on the third floor of a villa. He must have been a ninja. I hope he got hit by a bus on his way home.

[carleverson]

I have been burglarized as well as many of my friends.

[gava01]

Went to Seoul on New Years day and when I was out someone broke my door handle. They got close to 3 Million Won worth of stuff includiing my passport. I didn't have a dead bolt, didn't think about it. Now for the rest of my life I'll make sure to have one, but that's no guarantee. I also had a 800,000 won bike stolen from my job a couple years back and I even had two locks on it.

Life goes on