Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gwangjuboy]

Last night I experienced a bit of a scare to say the least. After me and my friend finished playing eight ball pool, we returned to my house at about midnight. On my neighbours doorstep was a drunken Korean man in his mid twenties. As we went into my house he bagan to shout obcenities in Korean. The usual "shibal, gaeseckie." I hadn't seen this man before but my friend and I both decided that we better get inside quick. Once inside my house the man started to shout things about America, and George Bush (I am not American though). He began ringing my intercom incessantly, and banging on my door. He became more vocal and started smashing the intercom device attached to my wall. I began to worry after 5 minutes of this shouting. I called the police,when they arrived 10 minutes later he had gone. The police were sympathetic and my Korean girlfriend arrived to assist with the translating. I filed a report at the local pachulso (police box) and left. The police have promised to step up patrols arround my housing complex. Despite having a big metal pole under my bed(reserved for such occasions) I was too terrified to confront the guy. It is probably a bad idea to confront Koreans in this situation as a foreigner anyway. We also seemed to get screwed if we do anything even in these positions. I want to know what you lot would have done, and if you have had similar experiences. I think I did the right thing by calling the police. If I went outside with the pole all hell could have broke lose. I have requested a house move now. (this is the second incident now, the other was nothing to do with me being a westerner, case of a pervert.) Was happy with the police overall.

[richinkorea]

Sounds like you did the right thing.

One question though. Was your friends name "Derrek" ???

[Son Deureo!]

Well done, you got out of the situation safely, and your boss is moving you into a (presumably) safer apartment.

Not a bad idea keeping a weapon in your place, and it's probably a good idea to reserve it until he makes it in the door. I don't know what the law is in this country, but back home, if someone breaks into your home you have the right to use any necessary force to protect yourself. Including lethal force.

You gotta wonder about that police response time, though. Ten minutes? If that guy had meant business, you would have been dead.

I'm glad to hear you're OK.

[Gord]

[rapier]

You kept your cool- well handled. It would've been different had he broken in- I'd say you could've justifiably brained him.

[Seoultrader]

Well done.

You played it cool and avoided immediate danger by locking your door and calling for law enforcement assistance. Cops - ten minutes response time is acceptable in a metropolitan city like Seoul (although I'm sure it seemed like an hour).

As for weapons to deter a direct attack - get rid of the pipe. Too much potential to cause a serious injury or worse, not to mention the danger of having your assailant get a hold of it and turn the tables. Also, I'm not positive about Korea's trespass & use of force (incl. lethal force) laws but I'll assume that they're not as relaxed as some US states (to use Son Deureo's Texan example). What I do know is that you can legally purchase and register with Korean law enforcement a CS dispersion weapon (spray or pistol) as well as some batons and stun devices. Ask your local district police station for procedure.

As for hand-to-hand, I will just say this: do not underestimate anyone under the influence of anything. In my experience (and that includes one year in military law enforcement, two years of working the door of various nightclubs, as well as a few idiotic years of regular street fighting in my high school and uni days), I've had to deal with opponents high on anything from Tequila to PCP. Do not for one second assume that your sobriety automatically gives you the upper hand. Adrenaline works both ways.

There have been waaaay too many threads on the subject. I especially dislike posts offering combat advice. Only YOU know what you're capable of if escape is not an option. (sidenote - most real altercations will generally end up on the ground with 5-8 seconds)

Take it from a guy who's had a fun 5 violence-free years (fight breakups aside) - you can talk yourself out of a fight 99% of the time and the 1% is just because you didn't try hard enough (except of course for situations where you have to defend someone else from harm).

In my case, it was one of my ex-gfs that really helped me deal with the inevitable "Oh crap I feel like a wimp now" ego conflict that occurred whenever I walked away from a situation in the beginning of my peaceful days. A simple "Honey it was so nice of you not to put him in the hospital" was enough of an affirmation, as juvenile as it sounds. Of course followed by awesome loving, bunny style.

[Gwangjuboy]

I enquired at the station as to what force might be deemed necessary by Korean law. The Korean police officer said that the law in Korea is not that favourable to people defending their property. He said that if the man was unarmed then I would be expected to fend him off by the same means. If there was more than one man, or he was armed then I could go hell for leather with the pole. I feel a little weak for not going out there and giving the guy a real thumping but I am sure I did the right thing in retrospect. The whole episode coincides with a farmer in England who has just been released following a 2 year jail term for shooting an intruder dead. He is considered a hero by the tabloids. I always did have sympathy for the man. Even more so now. "An English man's home is his castle." Hurah!

[Harvard Material]

Seoultrader is bang on the money there. Although you didn't invite this problem Gwangjuboy, you could have reacted totally differently; and possibly to your regret. I agree; you did take the right steps.

When a weapon is involved the situation worsens - physically and legally. Keep a weapon out of reach. When the time comes to need one, you can access one. Be creative instead of pre-meditative.

The 99% talking your way out scenario is acurate as well. I don't like being punched in the face, and I certainly don't relish the thought of doing it to anybody else. I've had lots of close calls, but using intelligence as a weapon is the best weapon. It protects all parties.

I had four guys ask my woman to ???? them off, downtown Toronto; 3:a.m. Easter Morning, three years ago. I didn't like that. I slammed my truck into their car and we all (not the girlfriend!), got out...lots of yelling and screaming.
One guy against four? Bad idea. I put my girlfriend and myself into a very dangerous position. Slamming into a car with four adult males wasn't a good idea, and I wouldn't do it again. They were looking for a fight, and I foolishly allowed my temper to invite them.

The only damage that happened was to their car. It lasted about 30 seconds, from the time I opened my door and stepped onto Spadina Ave. Nobody was injured, or even hit. A few shots were thrown, but it ended as fast as it started. I think they were as frightened as I was! I actually got an apology when it was over. They accepted the fault and drove off. They probably saved my life!!

I knew after we drove away from the scene that I was extremely lucky. I had a bush axe behind the front seat, chains, saws, hammers; a Romper Room of weaponry. I left them where they were. I don't know why...it all happened so fast. I knew what was there, I just didn't consider using any of it. It was the only smart decision I did make during that scenario.

Don't get physical unless it is absolutely necessary. Don't let your temper make your decisions for you. Avoiding that is absolutely necessary!

Seoultrader's right about the 'bunny' thing too.

[peppermint]

Anyone have any stats on B&E's in Korea? Off hand In the last year or so that I've been here, I 've heard of 2 attempted break ins and 3 actual entries. Only one was of these was in Seoul, in the building where I currently live (before I got there), and one happened to me last year, in a much smaller city.

Is "peppermint knobbed" gonna become a verb too? It sounds even worse than being Derreked!

[Seoultrader]

[Harvard Material]

Yeah...I was certainly Flirtin' With Disaster - Molly Hatchet (Mid 70'ish??)! Again, I don't approve of my actions at all. It was out of character for me, but I was so *&$k@!g ^*s#+d-off! I never speak to women the way these guys did to mine, and I never will. I saw and heard it everyday living in that city.

Gotta' keep your cool. Walk the walk, but you don't have to talk the talk. There is a big difference, and it boils down to integrity really. Gwangjuboy did the right thing because of his application to his situation.
I survived my scenario because someone else made the decision to do the right thing - hind-sight tells me I actually depended on it! I just didn't realise it at the time.

"I've been Derreked!!" That was great! Whoever posted that? I can't rememer the topic. Fantastic! I hope, whoever Derrek is, he can appreciate the fame and attention he's received. He has obviously become somewhat of a legend!

With a user name 'Peppermint Knob'? I don't know...could be a good thing to be 'peppermint knobbed'!!

[Derrek]

Yah, right, I'm thrilled.

Things are looking pretty good these days, though.

And no, I didn't know the other person who got attacked.

[mongrel]

gwanjuboy, you should have gone outside and sodomised him with that pole. what are you? you sound like the guy who "heard a rape" from his apartment. get some balls people. someone's banging on your door, or being raped, you do what you can to stop these things. yes, you could be on the receiving end i guess, but would you let some d**khead bang on your door in your home country?

[peppermint]

There's a BIG difference between someone bieng raped and someone banging on your door. If you don't know the difference, well, I hope that no one close to you ever finds out first hand.

If you hear something that sounds like someone being attacked then for the love of god, go do something about it. Trust me, the victim will be grateful. (Embarrassed maybe, if it's a false alarm, but that's worth the risk)

Someone banging on your door is an entirely different matter. If you can't tell the difference between a nuisance and a serious crime I suggest you check your definitions. Perhaps I should mention that sodomy can be a form of rape, particularly if it involves a pole?????

[rapier]

last time some f***ing emmit knocked my door down, it was 4am, I was fast asleep beside my girlfriend and her friend. I had to impress the ladies so I grapped a whopping kitchen knife and went to the door. Whatever he was saying i kept replying "NO" while the girls argued with him from behind my shoulder. Eventually he left- apparently he was lost and thought he lived in my appartment....