Korean Job Discussion Forums

tcatsninfank · Joined: 03 Apr 2013

Can anyone comment on the rate of home invasions/break-ins that happen in Korea?

I know the question is sort of like asking about home invasions in the US when there are so many different cities and crime rates, so let me ask another way: has anyone here ever had their Korean apartment broken into?

I'm getting my ducks lined up to be in Korea in February/March 2014 and am thinking about the things I'm going to bring with me. Specifically, I own a Mac Mini and a MacBook Pro, both of which are paid for, and I'm debating between bringing the Mac Mini or selling it and upgrading to a new MacBook Pro.

If I bring the Mac Mini, it isn't too large and only weighs 2 1/2 pounds but I'll need to buy a monitor when I get to Korea and it'll be at my apartment 24/7.

It's one of the few "stationary" items I want to bring with me and I'm kind of wondering whether people's places get broken into often.

Steelrails · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Location: Earth, Solar System

Get a safe to keep it in. Or an attack dog.

augustine · Joined: 08 Sep 2012 Location: México

I wouldn't worry about it. Especially six months before you even know what your living situation will be. You'll more than likely have some CCTV covering your ass.

farfromhome · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Location: seoul

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

Home invasions are unheard of here.

As for break-ins, they happen, occasionally. If you have a groundfloor apartment and leave the windows open, with no security, you're gonna have a bad a time. But overall it's pretty safe here.

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

We were ripped off at one of our previous places. Pretty certain the previous tenants did it. We hadn't even moved in yet and were in the midst of having the place renovated. Everything of any value was taken on the 1st night after work had begun. Having said that, I don't think I've spoken to anyone else (I know personally) who's been burgled other than a few students who have told of their experiences (granted, not many). You may have to be more wary of other teachers whom you work/live with than the average Korean breaking into your place. Bars on ground-floor to third-floor windows are recommended along with some kind of secure lock. May not hurt to have one of those sleeping security guard dudes around either.

andrewchon · Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 5:19 am Post subject:

How about leaving behind your computer geekiness and come to Korea to go out and you know... get a life? Razz

Seriously, homes are broken into quite often but they go after cash and jewelry so your Macs are safe. Cool

12ax7 · Joined: 07 Nov 2009

It all depends where you live (do they have a security camera in the lobby? If not, odds are greater that you'll get burgled). Besides, burglars nowadays typically look for gold since it can be melted down or chopped up into pieces, rendering it untraceable (they even bring a metal detector to sweep the apartment, I've heard).

joeteacher · Joined: 11 Jul 2007

I've had two break-ins in 6 years. Woke up with a guy in my bedroom....creepy as F*&%. I would make sure you have bars on your windows and a good lock.

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

It's never happened to me, but then lowest floor I've ever lived on is the 4th (currently on the 13th!) I've met people who've had their homes broken into though, so it does happen. If you want to know statistics, I'm sure you could use Google.

sligo · Joined: 15 Oct 2008

You could put the mac on the street and few would touch it, the windows XP based PC running internet explorer 5 with active X is king here!

tcatsninfank · Joined: 03 Apr 2013

I was just curious about people's experiences. The reason I mentioned the Macs is because they're the only thing of any real value that I'd be bringing with me, and to be honest they're about the only things of real value I have here in the US. I'm not materialistic, I just want to have a computer and that's it, so I was curious about the burglary rates.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

Lots of bikes get stolen. Watch your bicycle.

fermentation · Joined: 22 Jun 2009

It's like anywhere else. It depends on the area and how careful you are. Lock your doors and windows and get valuable stuff insured. You'll notice metal bars on the windows of the lower floors of apartments because these are easier to break into.

wishfullthinkng · Joined: 05 Mar 2010

it's not a huge problem here but obviously some neighborhoods are more burglary-prone than others such as itaewon/hbc. foreigners are also greater targets than koreans because they are seen as weak and easily scared/confused and unable to properly file proper complaints when these kinds of things happen due to language issues.