Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dcozzi]

When I first moved into this apartment I heard it once. It was really bad. The woman sounded like she was being badly injured. But then it stopped. Recently, it's been every night and it sounds extremely violent. She's being thrown around, she's crying, screaming, and it sounds like she's in a lot of pain. The man is just laughing. To be honest, it's happening as I write this.

This has been very upsetting for me. I told my school and they told me that in Korean this is seen as a private matter and that I wasn't to call the police.

I called my local police station, but no one answered. Who can I call in regards to this matter? Is there anything I can do? I don't speak Korean, so whoever I contact needs to be able to speak English. Any and all help is much appreciated!

[nathanrutledge]

This is a private matter. You are not to call the police.

Seriously, different culture, different standards. It sucks, but that's the way it is. Now, if you want to call the cops, feel free. They have people who speak English and if you tell them what's going on, someone will come out and investigate.

But, my knowledge of Korea and Koreans, and my knowledge of abuse victims, nothing will happen. The cops go to the door, the bloodied woman comes to the door and says everything is fine, and the cops leave and she keeps getting beaten. What's more is that the odds of the woman AND the man knowing it was you that called is pretty good (either the cops mention it, or the Koreans realize that only a foreigner would call the cops) and you don't want that.

If it was happening in a public place, you could get involved. Of course, then you'd get arrested for fighting with the man AND the woman would back him up.

Really, I know it sucks, but there isn't much you can do. Don't believe me? Do a google search on this site about this scenario - dozens of threads about it and they all say the same thing - mind your business.

[kimchijigijig]

Yes it is a private matter in Korean culture so it is best for you not to get involved.

However, if there is continued noise that is personally disturbing you, you have every right to contact the police to tell them to shut up.

[warmachinenkorea]

Don't be a coward and worry about what the guy might do to you. Call the cops keep calling until someone comes.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

Please understand Korean culture, and don't care about others.

Sad but true.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[northway]

Calling the police will more than likely accomplish nothing. My buddy has called the police a bunch of times for the same reason, and no one has ever come. Even if someone did come, it's not something the police deal with here, as it's considered a private matter, as other posters have said.

[fermentation]

I may come off like a douche (or a Korean), but I do consider domestic violence to be a private matter, unless it involves a small child. It'll be great if cops can do anything, but most of the time, they won't. They don't care.

They are making noise and disturbing you though. You should do something about that.

[warmachinenkorea]

When they get loud go knock on the door and tell them to be quite.

[creeper1]

Grow a pair. Go up to that apartment and bang on his door. When he answers deal with him.

I can't say exactly what that means other than be intimidating. Very intimidating.

Get a strong lad ( a friend ) to back you up.

If you see his partner alone advise her to leave her boyfriend.

[Steelrails]

[FDNY]

[pkang0202]

Call the cops and tell them your neighbors are being noisy.

If they are messing with your sleep in the middle of the night, you have every right to call the cops.

[BriTunes]

Give the guy a bottle of Soju.

[joelove]

Any chance you can move? That sounds very disturbing.