Have you lost or left behind some things in taxis, buses, and subways in South Korea? Were you able to get them back?
I am very interested to know.
Because my family’s experience confirms this honesty test:
BUSES
There were 2 instances when my son left behind his bag in a bus. In both instances, we got the bag back.
Bus 470
Some months back, my son left his bag with my Ipad in it. It was several minutes after we got off the bus when he realized he left the bag on the bus. Luckily, we knew where is the main office of the bus company handling Bus 470. It’s just right here in Sangam-dong, a neighborhood we are most familiar with. We went there and asked the staff on duty. With only the Bus number and approximate time that we provided, he was able to check with the bus driver. He has the lost bag. And there was my son’s bag with my iPad
Bus 6715
It could have been an April Fool’s Day for my son to lose one of his treasured books. Just right after the bus took off last April 1st, my son remembered his bag. Too late. You can never run after the bus here in Korea. Buses stop only at their designated bus stops. This was harder for me. I didn’t know where the bus main terminal/office is. The only option I could think of was the Korean Travel Hotline 1330, operated by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). This is a 24/7 one-stop helpline available as a public service for local and international travelers. This number has proved to be very useful to me, in so many ways.
The operator gave me the office number of the company handling Bus 6715. I called the company 2 days after it happened. In my broken Korean and the staff’s broken English, we managed to understand each other and yes, my son’s bag was there. It was only last Friday (nearly 2 weeks after) when I went to get the bag. The terminal was at Sinwol–dong, a neighborhood in Yangcheon-gu, one I have never been to before.
In both offices, they didn’t even ask for my ID. It was enough that I knew the item I was looking for.
TAXIs
I don’t have a personal experience with losing things in the taxi. But there are plenty of stories of returned items where the item has the owner’s contact number. That includes cellphones and even wallets with important cards.
But the best way for you, as a passenger, to trace back forgotten items is to get the receipt. Taxis here issue receipts but we often take this for granted. No more, especially now that you know what it can do for you.
SUBWAYS
There are Lost and Found centers in subway stations. This is your best bet, in case you forget your things. See video above.
Or, you can try to go back to where you lost it. A friend of mine carelessly took out her wallet from her bag and forgot about it. Realizing she left it on a bench in the station, she went back to get her wallet. The wallet was there. The cash gone.
Of course, we all should be mindful of our things when commuting or traveling. We can’t put the burden of responsibility on others. After all, we have to learn to be responsible with our actions (or lack of) and accept accountability for its results.
What about you? Would you like to share your own “lost and found” stories?
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It’s amazing how trusting and safe Korea is. I often leave my camera or laptop on the table in a cafe when I go somewhere else temporarily and it’s amazing how I can feel safe doing this… I’ve never felt that way before. I’m glad you managed to get your sons belongings back!
I left my phone in one of the cubicles in the subway station. I only realized it when I got home. I went back immediately but it was not there anymore. The next day, I asked my Korean friend to go with me in the lost and found center at the same station. I got my phone back but my 50,000 won in the case is not there. I guess the one who brought my phone back decided to reward himself. LOL.
It’s funny to me because foreigners often have this outlook while Koreans are the opposite… at least my husband is. He does NOT think Korea is so safe though I have only had experiences like you where my bags have been returned completely intact. I literally left a bag at the playground when I took Ava home once with my wallet, money and phone inside and didn’t realize it at all. Someone had found it at the playground, took it to the police and the police took it to Woori bank because I had an Woori card in there and Woori called me to get it… and it was 10:30pm so well after working hours for many. This is really helpful for people though as I often see questions about how to get lost items.
I lost my luggage in S train from Suncheon to Busan, I talked to the train attendant that I just left it on the luggage area, then it’s gone. There is no CCTV on-board on S train. I talked to the train station office and also to the police station in Busan Station. Luckily, the next day, I was informed thru my hostel, that my luggage went to the cleaning terminal at the end of the night, and I was able to get them back perfectly as if nothing happened. Thanks to Unnie and Hyung and the officers who were able to help me. Good thing, I have 2 days spare time before my departure flight.
I have many more stories of how thankful I am with the locals, if you’re interested to read, click here: https://ruffeecola.blogspot.com/2016/07/201607231.html
Leaving umbrellas behind is probably my weakness, and they are not too hard to retrieve once you notice they are missing, haha. Thanks for your reminder about the Korean Tourist Organization hotline that helps travelers with queries. Good to know that they can help with this kinda situation. Sounds like your son is the forgetful one in your family. Pretty cute though. Informative and useful article!
We just had this conversation with my students during the study of appropriate vocabulary words like Lost and Broken. Ironically, none of them said they’d take the money from inside the wallet, but based on your example, people take the cash (finders fee) and take the wallet to the Lost and Found/Police Station. I’ve similarly forgotten my cell phone in a taxi once and after a friend called in the next day, it was returned to me safe and sound (but it was a flip phone at the time, a much cheaper accessory than nowadays).
Grabe! The management are very efficient! I wish ganon din dito sa Pilipinas. Sobrang layo talaga. Hay, I hope magawa rin ito soon dito sa Pilipinas.
I really love Korea when you lost things. Once I have lost my wallet and found it again. Thanks to the ahjussi who found my wallet and kept it until I came back and asked if he saw a wallet outside the gate and he said yes. he asked for my name and checked it. Luckily, my Id was there.
this is soooo nice. it got me almost crying knowing there’s still a lot of people who were honest these days. I’ve never been to Korea but it’s one of our dream destination and glad to know about this. thanks for sharing.
It’s interesting! Not only their transportation system is efficient, it is also secured. Sad to compare, but it’s different in our own country.
I guess it is already in the belief system that cannot be changed. (In a positive and negative way)
Napaka helpful ng post na to. Thanks for sharing! Will save it for future reference dahil lagi ako nawawalan ng gamit kasi naiiwan ko kung saan saan. Haha
It’s nice to know that people can be that honest and kind to return things. I hate to campare but reality really bites here in the Philippines.. I don’t have a lost and found story here, when I left something, wala na sya forever no matter how hard I try to find it..
We could only wish for similar efficiency here in our country. Anyway, thanks for the information. I’ll keep these in mind when we go to Korea.
I am very hard on myself, especially during times I forget about something or lose something very valuable. The amound of guilt and desperation is ugly and especilaly here in the philippines where if u lost something, it’s good as gone. So, the only solution is really to be mindful of your belongings 24/7. Hahaha
Wow! I want to go there in Korea soon. Hope all countries are like that especially here in the Philippines. It’s nice to hear stories like that.
Its kinda similar in Japan. People don’t pick up items for themselves. They either leave it untouched or give it to a “lost & found”. Might be an economical factor since both countries are rich. I mean, you can also leave your bag inside Ateneo and it’ll still be there when you get back to it, lol
TBH, I hope Philippines will become like that. My fiancé lost his wallet in Japan with 400k Yen. We went to all train stations we used that day and luckily we were able to claim it in one of the station’s Lost & Found office. Not a single yen was lost and the officer said a Japanese found it in the train and brought it to their office.
This is amazing! Losing important belongings is hard especially if you are not sure if you can still get it back. But it’s just nice to hear stories like this. Apparently, there are still honest people in the world.
Thank you for this Ms.Wendy must read para in case na mangyari ito sa kababayan natin jan sa korea aware na sila kung ano dapat nila gawin pag may naiwan silang gamit. Buti pa po jan hindi gaanong mahigpit and mabilis lang ang process dito kasi kahit alam mo yung laman ng bag need pa din ng ID.
Ayy wow the best naman sa korea sana dito sa philippines ganun din , meron pa din nman dito na tlga nmang ngbblik pa kapag my naiwan ka ung iba nga lang hndi na .. mas okay ito lalo na sa mga pilipino na working sa korea atleast alam na nila ito at very helpful sknila 🤗❤️
Thanks for this information po. It’s nice to know that you can still retrieve your stuff. I remember I watched one of your vlog before, if I’m not mistaken your son left his trumpet and you were able to retrieve it. The process was easy and very convenient.
Meron nga po nakapag sabi sa akin na maganda daw po talaga patakbo ng gobyerno doon. Lahat daw po ng tao dito ay disiplinado . Kaya kapag may naiwan ka talagang gamit. Ibabalik daw po talaga nila sayo yun. At hindi ka mahihirapan na maibalik sayo yun.. Ganun daw po kamangha mangha ang korea. Thankyou po sa information dito. Share ko din po ito sa iba..