Korean Job Discussion Forums

Himself · Joined: 30 Jun 2007

(Using my husband's account)

Ok, I'll try and make this short. My husband and I just moved to Haebangchon a few weeks ago from a different part of Seoul. We live on the first floor with bars on all of our windows and chains on our doors. We also have a wall around our place.

New Year's Eve, I was staying up in the living room on the computer watching a movie. I had a light on in the room. We have two large windows facing our private entrance - out on the street you can see if we have any lights on in the house. Around 2:30 am (Jan 1 '09), I saw a man peering into our window. I shouted at my husband who was in bed and told him that someone was at our window. He went outside with a knife looking to see if he could catch the guy, but he had already run off probably because of the shouting. Well, it turns out that he was unable to see anything through our window, because it's frosted.

Now, at 3:30 am this morning, I woke up and thought I heard someone in the house. I woke up my husband and whispered, "Put on your glasses. I think someone's in the house." Obviously, I was really, really freaked out. Anyways, he looked around the apartment, and then looked out our window and some skinny 18 year old (?) Korean guy was right there in front of our door. So, with a knife, he ran out there again. The guy jumped the wall and ran off. There was broken glass on the road so my husband did not run after him because he was bare foot.

So, I'm wondering if it was perhaps the same guy or not. Also, we had our light on in the living room both times. We have bars on all our windows. So, why would this guy be trying to get into our place when he knows that we are here and that it would be pretty tough to get in. We always bolt and chain our door...we always do. I'm thinking that there is no way for this guy to get into the place.

Anyways, I'm still really nervous because we have our little 8 month old and I just don't want some crazy psycho coming into our place. AAGGHHH!!!!! I'm so ticked off that something like this would happen...let alone TWICE in a week.

Ok, please let me know what you think or please give advice. Also, sorry if I rambled or mistyped...I haven't slept at all and I'm really shaken up from this whole ordeal.

Captain Marlow · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Location: darkness

peeping tom... most burglars hit you up in the middle of the day (while you're at work) or when you're on vacation... peeping toms want to see you doing dirty things with your husband... are you a exhibitionist? if so, this might work out well for you...

Typhoon · Joined: 29 May 2007 Location: Daejeon

Wow, that is pretty scary. You should call the police (they won't do anything, but there will be a record of the event taken at least). You should also consider moving to a different area or to a place on the 3rd floor or higher. A lot of Koreans dislike ground floor apartments for exactly this reason. I hope things work out of your. It is pretty scary.

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

Freaky!

Well first of all it sounds like your safe in your place, unless he busts down the door somehow.

I personally think you should file a report with the police, just to have the incident on file if it were to happe again.

It is widely common practice in Korea for people who live on the first floor of their apartment to leave their lights and tv etc. on so that people think they are home. It is my guess that the guy know's this and is trying to atleast peek into your home, let alone break into it.

18? Perhaps a highschool student who know's where you live and is curious about the new waygooks in town?

Either way, it's wrong and a little spooky. Buy your husband a pair of slip-on sandals so he can run next time.

Keep Safe!!!!
Jesse Cool

inkoreaforgood · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Location: Inchon

Get a baseball bat, having your husband run around with a knife makes him look like a murderer. If two men are running down the street, and one has a knife, it's not going to end well for everyone.

Report it to the cops as well. They won't do jack, but it's on file for the next time (should there be one).

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

My wife is always telling me that home invasions aren't all that rare here. One common scam is when the husband goes out, the invader knocks on the door and says "Wife, I'm back, let me in" or "I forgot my keys" or something. That probably wouldn't work on you the same way, but be careful opening the door when you're husband's out, especially if he just stepped out a minute ago.

Anyway, if you really are that concerned about your safety, find somewhere else to live.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Please let the police know that this was a KOREAN man.

There seems to be a lot of assumption/bias in the media that FOREIGNERS are responsible for these crimes in this area, because many foreigners live there.

michaelambling · Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Location: Paradise

inkoreaforgood · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Location: Inchon

The guy didn't get in, but was looking for a way in. This is the second time in a week, so it's possible that it's the same guy, or a hell of a coincidence.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Go to a discount store or hardware store and buy a motion-detector light or two, and a fake ball CCD camera. Add a few of those "warning - video" signs, and you'll be set.

Fake CCD Camera: a few thousand won

http://search.auction.co.kr/search/search.aspx?keyword=cctv&itemno=&seller=&frm=&dom=auction&isSuggestion=No

Signs: 3,500 each
Motion Light: 15,000 to 30,000

Here are some real cameras: http://itempage3.auction.co.kr/DetailView.aspx?ItemNo=A511922206&frm2=through

http://search.auction.co.kr/search/search.aspx?keyword=ccd%C4%AB%B8%DE%B6%F3&itemno=&seller=&frm=hometab&dom=auction&isSuggestion=No&x=20&y=2

Ultimo Hombre · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: BEER STORE

My friend lived in that area a few years ago and she came home one night to find a man hiding in her bathroom. He ran out immediately but not without slicing her hand open with the box cutter he had on him. I'm not saying it's a horrible area but it has it's fair share of nutjobs. The guy was Korean also.

Another friend of mine lives around there and her place was on the 3rd floor with a wall like you have and without getting into details...she was assaulted. Walls mean nothing. Bars as well. If someone wants to get in they will. Be careful. Report it. Hope for the best.