What to Do If You Lose Something in Korea: A Guide for Travelers


Losing your phone, wallet or passport while traveling can be stressful.

If it happens in Korea, don’t panic. Korea has a nationwide police lost-and-found system, and items found on public transportation or in public places are often reported to the authorities.

Here is what to do first.

1. Remember Where You Last Had It

Before reporting anything, think about the last place you used the item.

Check your:

  • Hotel or accommodation
  • Restaurant or café
  • Taxi
  • Subway or train
  • Convenience store or shop

If you know where you lost it, contacting that location directly may be the fastest solution.

For a lost credit card, contact your card issuer immediately and block the card.

2. Search Korea’s LOST112 System

The Korean National Police Agency operates LOST112, a nationwide lost-and-found service.

Found items registered with police can be searched through the system, and lost items can also be reported. The police specifically recommends LOST112 for situations such as a missing wallet.

Korean National Police LOST112

If your item does not appear immediately, check again later. It may take time for someone to hand it in and for the item to be registered.

3. Lost Something on the Subway or Train?

Act quickly.

If you realize you left something on a subway, remember as much as possible:

  • Line number
  • Station
  • Direction of travel
  • Approximate time
  • Train or carriage number, if known

Visit a station office and explain what happened.

Lost-and-found services are available through the subway system, and unclaimed items may eventually be transferred into the police lost-property system. Korea Tourism Organization also recommends checking station lost-and-found centers for subway losses.

4. What If You Lose Your Passport?

A passport requires faster action.

Contact your country's embassy or consulate in Korea as soon as possible for instructions on obtaining replacement travel documents. Korea Tourism Organization also recommends travelers keep copies of important documents such as their passport and identification.

Keep a digital copy of your passport separately from the original when traveling.

If your passport was stolen rather than simply lost, contact the police as well.

5. Lost or Stolen?

There is an important difference.

For a normal lost item, use LOST112 or contact the place where you think you left it.

If you believe your property was stolen, call the police at:

112

For callers who do not speak Korean, Korea Tourism Organization advises saying “English please” or “Interpreter please” so interpretation assistance can be connected.

Do not use the emergency number simply because you misplaced an ordinary item.

Useful Numbers for Travelers

  • 182 — Police inquiries, including lost-property assistance
  • 112 — Police emergency / crime
  • 1330 — Korea Travel Helpline

The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline provides travel information and interpretation assistance for international visitors and can be particularly useful when you are unsure which organization to contact.

Before Your Korea Trip

A few simple precautions can save a lot of trouble.

Keep a digital copy of your passport, record your phone's identification information, enable device tracking and keep your card company's emergency contact information somewhere separate.

Most importantly, if you lose something:

Check the location → contact the operator → search LOST112 → contact the appropriate authority.

Acting quickly gives you the best chance of getting your belongings back.

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