Moved by the Sad Story, Netizens and Police Take Action
The Item Is Stored at Geomam Station Lost and Found Center
A man in his 70s who posted notices all over Gyeyang Station claiming he lost a bag containing materials related to his deceased wife was able to recover the bag with the help of those around him. On the 22nd, Airport Railroad announced that Mr. Ko (76), who lost his bag at Incheon Gyeyang Station, found the bag at the Airport Railroad Geomam Station Lost and Found Center the day before, 13 days after losing it.
The USB containing photos related to his late wife has the date of her passing written on it. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Mr. Ko initially thought he had left the bag on the street near Gyeyang Station and lost it, but after the police reviewed closed-circuit television (CCTV), it was confirmed that he left the bag inside the train. Mr. Ko told Yonhap News, "The police officer checked the CCTV and informed me that I was not carrying the bag inside the Gyeyang Station building," adding, "It is highly likely that I left it inside the train, so I contacted the lost and found center, and fortunately, the bag was there." He continued, "I am truly relieved to have recovered my precious wife's belongings, which cannot be bought with money," and expressed gratitude, saying, "I thank everyone who showed interest and helped."
An appeal from Mr. Go to find the bag he left near Gyeyang Station in Incheon [Photo source=Online Community]
His laptop contained work materials accumulated over about 16 years at public institutions and industrial companies. Additionally, the USB inside the bag held photos and videos of his wife, who passed away two years ago, as well as materials such as photos of the funeral hall and her grave. Mr. Ko's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and battled the illness before passing away in October 2021 at the age of 73. A netizen, feeling sympathy after seeing the notice posted by Mr. Ko, shared it on social networking services (SNS), and with the help of other netizens and the police who learned of the story, the bag was recovered.
If You Lose Items on the Subway, Knowing the Location and Time Is Most Important
As in Mr. Ko's case, if you lose items on the subway, knowing the location and time of loss is most important. Based on this information, station staff can search the places where the lost item is likely to be and find the item. If you used a transportation card to board the subway, presenting the card to staff allows them to estimate the train you boarded based on the times you entered and exited each station.
If you lose an item in the subway or on the street, you can search for it on the National Police Agency's integrated lost property management website 'lost112' or through its mobile app. [Photo by lost112 website]
If you cannot find the item at the subway lost and found center, you can search for it on the National Police Agency’s integrated lost property management website 'lost112' or its mobile app. Station staff register all lost items found within the subway (including photos and locations) on the website, making it easy and quick to find items. If you receive a notification that your lost item has been found or discover your lost item through lost112, you should bring an ID that proves you are the owner and visit one of the four subway lost and found centers located by line.
In Seoul, the lost and found centers located at stations (City Hall, Chungmuro, Wangsimni, Taereungipgu) also provide a T-Locker service. You can retrieve lost items directly anytime during subway operating hours. This service stores lost items in lockers and sends the location and password to the owner, allowing them to retrieve the item without visiting the lost and found center by paying the storage fee.
An employee working at the lost and found center said, "Most lost items are found between train seats and on shelves, so checking your seat and the shelf above it once before getting off can greatly reduce lost items." They added, "Most phones and wallets have contact information, so they can be returned to their owners almost 100% of the time, but other items without contact information cannot be returned and are handed over to the police, which is the most regrettable. Leaving contact information, such as inserting a business card in important items, is very helpful."
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