Korean Job Discussion Forums

[AustSaint]

I returned home to my apartment last night to find that someone had broken into my apartment whilst I was out of country. I am wondering what can be done?, I have contacted my school and the police will come to my apartment and check it out this afternoon, is there anything else I need to do?. I guess is there anyways I can get compensation for the items that were stolen?, I get the feeling that I won't get any compensation for the loss of my laptop and PSP, but I have to ask. So if anyone has any ideas they would be appreciated. It is strange, I used to think Korea was a safe country, now I think I was deluded to think that.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

The exact same thing happened to BS Dos. three weeks ago while he was at work. It left us (I live nearby) feeling very much the same way.

[matthews_world]

Would you happen to be on the first floor or basement? It is quite easy to break a window in Korea.

Here's a list of people that I would suspect first:

Hagwon boss - does he have it in for you? Do they have a copy of a key that could be passed around easily? They certainly knew your vacation schedule. They could have scumbag friends who were into this sort of racket.

Previous renter - No telling what someone could do with an old copy of a key.

Landlord - same as previous. My landlord has a copy of my key but not sure about the front door code.

Was there forced entry? Then it could be anybody. Sometimes these perps will saw off window bars & climb in through the window.

[simIAN]

Nothing is worse than stealing from your average Joe! I am sorry to hear about this man. It is such a mongrel thing to do! I know stealing in any capacity is wrong, but I feel that stealing from another person directly is the lowest form. Stealing from a corporation for instance, seems easier to stomach for me.

This kinda stuff get's me steamed! I know when I left the country I was worried about being burgled, so I removed the batteries from my keypad as a precaution and packed a key with my belongings.

Do you mind explaining how they gained entry? I am curious to know.

[BS.Dos.]

Yeah, my apartment was broken into about 3-weeks ago. I live in a fairly modern 10-story tower block, but we don't have a security entry system nor CCTV, so the burglers were able to just walk straight in the apartment block. I returned home to find the lock mechanism had been ripped out of the door. Got inside to find that they'd taken my laptop and camera. Looked like they rummaged around in all the rooms, but nothing else was taken. They didn't take my MP3 player or my money box, which was about half full of coins.

My handler called the police who came round and finger printed and photographed the door etc. It was only then that I learnt that 2 other aparments had also been robbed.

I've not heard anything from the police since it happend.

[davehere22]

this is why i was asking about insurance for personal belongings a few weeks ago

no answers though..

anyone have any information about items insurance now?

[harlowethrombey]

Sorry to hear about that, guys.

I keep telling myself to change my locks but I keep being an idiot and not doing it.

The police likely will never find anything. My parents were robbed about 6 years ago back in the states and the robber was caught a few days later, but they stillhave yet to recover most of their belongings. It'sjust not a high priority crime in any country.

[need 2 know]

Listen guys. Call a locksmith and have your lock changed. I did and with 5 keys the cost was 35,000. Best money I ever spent. If you're on the first floor, ask to be moved up or at least reinforce the best you can. Not ALL Koreans are as honest as they'd like to have you believe.

[BS.Dos.]

My door actually had a dead lock as well, but I didn't have a key for it. If you've got one, then I'd suggest you start using it just to be on the safe side. My laptop was only about 18-months old and cost me about 600 quid. I very much doubt I'll be seeing it again.

[QbertP]

I went home to a broken lock and found out that my entire (small) apartment building had been burgled. It made me happy to know that I wasn't being specifically targeted.

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

If you live in Haebangchan, be vigiliant this summer. usually a spate of burglaries in the area every year.

I'm lucky in that my landlady runds a sewing shop in the apt next door to mine so there's always someone there with the windows open all day long...

[Mochi]

I was burgaled about 3 weeks after I arrived. Deadbolt crowbarred right off the metal door. I lost a big stack of cash since I had no ARC and therefor no bank account. The police can do nothing unless something was stolen that stands out (like foreign currency). Advice to anybody reading this: never keep large amounts of cash in your apartment. If you must, make sure it is very well hidden. I never thought it would happen to me. One very expensive life lesson learned.

[i]

I've yet to be burgled, but notice in my bldng, most tenants replace the top dead bolt with the cool "keypad" dead bolt. (those keypads look like they'd be easier to pry off than the small old fashioned lock mechanisms) So it is obvious they don't usually use the lower deadbolt on the doorknob. Quick access with the newest gadgets.
Our knob didn't even work when we moved in, so called a locksmith to fix it and change the lock mechanism in the top dead bolt (not a keypad). 2 dead bolts. I hope this is enough.
No security or cameras in my place either.

[bassexpander]

I've posted this numerous times, but you can get theft insurance from Judy:

[BS.Dos.]

Start hiding any valuables/cash in either your freezer or washing machine if you're worried about your apartment getting turned over.