🇰🇷 Introduction: Losing Something in Korea — Don’t Panic
Losing your phone, wallet, or passport during your trip can turn a perfect vacation into a nightmare.
But if this happens in South Korea, you might be surprised — your chances of getting it back are very high.
Korea has one of the world’s most efficient and honest Lost & Found (분실물 센터) systems.
Whether you lost something in the subway, taxi, bus, train, airport, or even a shopping mall, there’s a clear way to recover it — even if you don’t speak Korean.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do depending on where you lost your item, and how to contact the right place (in English if needed).
🚇 1. Lost Something in the Subway
Each city’s subway system in Korea has its own Lost & Found Center (유실물 센터), and many items are returned within a few hours.
👉 Steps to follow:
- Go to the nearest station office (역무실) and describe what you lost.
- If you’ve already left the station, call or visit the city’s Lost & Found Center.
- Give details: item type, color, time, and line number.
| City | Contact | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul Metro (1–8 Lines) | ☎️ 1577-1234 | www.seoulmetro.co.kr |
| Busan Metro | ☎️ 051-640-7000 | www.humetro.busan.kr |
| Daegu Metro | ☎️ 053-640-2114 | www.dtro.or.kr |
💡 Tip:
If you lost your T-money card, wallet, or smartphone, staff often use CCTV to trace it.
Many lost items are sent to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Lost & Found Center (서울분실물센터) after 3 days.
🚌 2. Lost Item on a Bus
Bus companies also have central hotlines and websites.
👉 What to do:
- Note your bus number and route name (displayed inside and outside the bus).
- If you don’t remember, try to recall where you got on and off.
- Call the city bus information center or use the “Lost Item” section on the city’s transport website.
| City | Hotline | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul Bus | ☎️ 120 (Dasan Call Center, English available) | 120dasan.seoul.kr |
| Busan Bus | ☎️ 051-120 | bus.go.kr |
| Jeju Bus | ☎️ 064-710-4215 | bus.jeju.go.kr |
💡 Tip:
Most lost items on Seoul buses are delivered to the Seoul Lost & Found Center in Sincheon within 2–3 days.
🚖 3. Lost Item in a Taxi
Taxis in Korea are traceable because every driver has a registered number.
👉 How to report:
- Check your receipt (영수증) — it has the taxi company name and car number.
- If you don’t have the receipt, go to:
🔗 www.lost112.go.kr (English available)
→ Choose “Taxi” → Enter date, location, and item type. - You can also call 120 (Seoul Dasan Call Center) for help in English.
💡 Most returned items: phones, bags, and wallets.
Drivers in Korea are known for returning lost items honestly — many tourists report getting their phones back within hours.
🚅 4. Lost Item in KTX or Train
Korea’s high-speed trains (KTX) and regional lines have a nationwide Lost & Found tracking system.
👉 What to do:
- Visit or call the KORAIL Customer Center: ☎️ 1544-7788
- Or go to: www.letskorail.com → “Lost Item”
- Items are usually kept for 7 days, then moved to the central Lost & Found Center in Daejeon.
💡 Tip:
If you left something on a KTX seat, call within 2–3 hours — cleaning staff often find it before the next passenger boards.
✈️ 5. Lost Something at the Airport
🛫 Incheon International Airport (ICN)
- Terminal 1 Lost & Found: ☎️ 032-741-3110
- Terminal 2 Lost & Found: ☎️ 032-741-8989
- Website: www.airport.kr → Lost Item → English available
🛬 Gimpo Airport
- Call: ☎️ 02-2660-2114
- Location: Passenger Terminal 1F
💡 Tip:
If it’s a passport or wallet, contact both Lost & Found and your embassy.
Many embassies (US, UK, Philippines, etc.) are in Yongsan or Jongno-gu, Seoul.
🏬 6. Lost Something in a Store or Shopping Mall
Big stores like Lotte, Shinsegae, or COEX Mall have dedicated Lost & Found desks.
Go to the Customer Service (고객센터) counter and describe your item.
If you left something in a restaurant or café, call back directly — most keep items for 1–3 days before sending to police.
🧸 7. Lost Child or Missing Person Situation
If you lose sight of your child or companion:
🚨 Act Immediately:
- Inform nearby staff or security guards.
- Call 112 (Korean Police) → English support available.
- Describe the person’s age, clothes, and location.
Police will send a nearby patrol within minutes.
Large public places (malls, parks, subway stations) have broadcast systems to help locate missing persons.
💡 Tip:
Teach children to find a person in a uniform (police, subway staff, or security guard) and say:
“Help me. My parents are lost.”
Koreans are very responsive to helping lost children — strangers will often assist immediately.
📞 8. Important English Hotlines
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Korean Police (Lost or Stolen) | ☎️ 112 | English interpreters available |
| Fire / Medical Emergency | ☎️ 119 | English support |
| Seoul Global Center (Foreigner Help) | ☎️ 02-2075-4180 | Weekdays 9–18h |
| Dasan Call Center (Seoul) | ☎️ 120 | 24-hour English, Chinese, Japanese |
| KORAIL (Trains) | ☎️ 1544-7788 | English menu available |
| Incheon Airport | ☎️ 032-741-8989 | English support |
🧭 9. The Lost112 System — Korea’s Nationwide Lost Item Database
Korea’s Police Lost Item Platform — www.lost112.go.kr —
is a central government website where all found items from police stations, transportation systems, and major institutions are registered.
You can search by:
- Category (wallet, passport, bag, phone)
- City / Location
- Date
💡 It’s available in English, Japanese, and Chinese, and you can request pickup or mail return.
❤️ Conclusion: Honesty and Efficiency in Korea
Losing something while traveling is stressful, but in Korea, there’s an incredible chance you’ll get it back.
Koreans take pride in returning found items — from phones in taxis to passports in airports.
Just remember:
- Don’t panic
- Report quickly
- Use official channels
If you ever lose something important in Korea, you’re not alone — and the system is ready to help you.
“In Korea, even lost things find their way back home.” 🇰🇷
