Lost And Found Korea: What You Need to Know
- Stop and recall exactly where and when you last had the item — line, station, taxi number, or time.
- Go back to the last station or call the taxi company immediately; do not wait until the next day.
- Gather your transit card record, app ride history, or payment receipt before making contact.
- Search the LOST112 website or app if you are unsure which channel to use, or if hours have passed.
- If your passport, bank card, or phone is missing, take protective action (block the card, use Find My) at the same time as reporting.
- Follow up every 24–48 hours, because items may not appear in the database until they are logged.
- Confirm any pickup fees, shipping costs, or office hours directly with the relevant office before visiting.
What to Do Immediately After You Notice the Item Is Missing
Lost and found korea recovery starts with the exact place and time you last had the item. Narrowing it down to one location — a specific subway car, a taxi, or a station bench — determines which channel you use and how fast you can act.
Run through this checklist right away:
- What time did you last have it, and where exactly were you?
- Did you take a subway, bus, or taxi in the last hour?
- Do you have a transit card tap record, a card payment receipt, or an app ride history that confirms the route?
- Can you describe the item precisely — color, brand, size, any identifying marks?
Write these details down or type them into your phone before you do anything else. Every system you contact — station staff, taxi company, or LOST112 — will ask for this information.
If You Lost It on the Subway: Where to Ask and What Details to Give
If you lost and found korea items on the subway, each operator runs its own process. Start at the station, then move to the operator’s central lost-and-found office if needed.
Step 1: Go to the nearest station agent booth immediately
If you are still in the station or can return quickly, go directly to the station staff booth (역무실, yeongmusil). Staff can radio ahead to the next station or contact the train crew. This is faster than any online search in the first 30 minutes.
Step 2: Give the staff these specific details
- The subway line number or name (Line 2, Bundang Line, etc.)
- The station where you boarded and the direction you were traveling
- The approximate time you boarded or exited
- The car number if you noticed it (often posted inside the car near the door)
- A clear description of the item: type, color, brand, size, and any unique features
Step 3: Check the operator’s central lost-and-found office
Each major operator has a central lost-and-found location where unclaimed items from all stations are brought, usually within 24 hours. For Seoul Metro lines, this is located at City Hall Station. For Korail, items go to a separate Korail office. Confirm the exact address and hours directly with the operator before traveling there, as these details can change.
Step 4: Search online or by phone
Seoul Metro has a lost-and-found inquiry phone line and a web inquiry form. Korail also has a customer service line. If you cannot visit in person, call and give the same details listed above. Have your phone number ready so they can contact you if the item is found later.
What happens to unclaimed items
Items not claimed at the station level are typically transferred to the central operator office. After a further holding period — often around one to three months, though this varies and should be confirmed — unclaimed items may be transferred to the police lost-and-found system. This is why searching LOST112 is also useful even for subway losses.
If You Lost It in a Taxi: Receipt, App History, and Company Contact Steps
If you lost and found korea items in a taxi, use the receipt, app history, or taxi number first. There is no single nationwide taxi lost-and-found phone number, so the fastest route is identifying the exact vehicle or company.
Step 1: Find the taxi’s identifying information
- Receipt: If you paid by card or received a printed receipt, it contains the taxi number, company name, and often a contact number.
- App ride history: Kakao T, UT, and other ride apps store the driver’s vehicle number, trip time, and pickup/dropoff locations.
- Card payment record: Your bank app or card statement may show the merchant name and sometimes a contact number.
- Taxi license plate: If you remember it or took a photo, this is enough to trace the vehicle.
Step 2: Contact the taxi company directly
Call the company whose name appears on the receipt or in the app. Explain that you left an item in one of their vehicles, give the taxi number and the approximate time of your ride, and describe the item. Many companies will contact the driver immediately by radio or phone.
Step 3: Use the app’s in-app lost item report
Kakao T and similar apps often include a lost item report feature in completed trip history. This sends a message directly to the driver and the platform support team. This is often the fastest route if you booked the ride in an app.
Step 4: If the company cannot help
If the taxi was an individual license holder with no company affiliation, or if the company cannot locate the driver, report the item to LOST112. Drivers are required to hand in found items to the police, so the item may appear in the database within a day or two.
How to Search the Police LOST112 System
LOST112 is the national police lost-and-found database in Korea, and it is often the best backup if you are not sure where the item was lost. Many transit items are logged here after they are transferred from stations, taxi companies, or police offices.
How to access LOST112
- Search for “LOST112” in your browser — the official site is run by the National Police Agency.
- A mobile app version is also available for Android and iOS under the name LOST112.
- The site has an English-language interface option.
How to search
- Select the item category (phone, wallet, bag, document, etc.).
- Enter the date range, the region or district where you lost it, and a description.
- Browse the results and look for photos of matching items.
How to register a lost item report
If your item does not appear yet, register it as a lost item (분실 신고). You will enter a description, the date and location of loss, and your contact information. If a matching item is later turned in, the system can notify you.
How to claim an item
If you find a match, contact the police station listed in the entry. Bring your ID and be ready to describe the item in detail to confirm ownership. Confirm the office hours and any required documents before visiting, as procedures can vary by station.
Visiting a police station in person
You can also walk into any local police station (파출소 or 경찰서) and ask staff to check the LOST112 system for you. If you do not speak Korean, showing a written description of the item on your phone can help.
What to Do If the Item Contains Your Passport, Card, or Phone
If the item contains a passport, bank card, or phone, take protective action at the same time as reporting it. Do not wait to confirm the item is truly gone.
Lost passport
- Report the loss to the nearest police station and obtain a loss report (분실 신고서).
- Contact your country’s embassy or consulate in Korea to begin emergency travel document procedures.
- Search LOST112, as passports are frequently turned in and logged quickly.
Lost bank card or credit card
- Block the card immediately using your bank’s app, website, or international customer service number.
- Check your recent transaction history for any unauthorized charges.
- Report the loss to your bank and follow their card replacement procedure.
Lost phone
- Use Find My (iPhone) or Find My Device (Android) from another device or a computer to locate or lock the phone.
- If the phone is in a specific location on the map, do not go there alone at night — contact police if needed.
- Report the IMEI number to your carrier to prevent unauthorized use.
- Search LOST112 and report to the nearest subway station or police station.
What to Say in Korean When Contacting Lost-and-Found Staff
You do not need fluent Korean to report a lost item. The phrases below cover the most common situations at a station booth, on the phone with a taxi company, or at a police station.
Korean Phrases for Lost-and-Found Situations
How Long Items Are Usually Kept and When to Follow Up
Knowing the typical holding timeline helps you plan your follow-up and avoid missing the window to claim your item. These periods are approximate and can vary by operator or district.
| Channel | Typical Holding Period | What Happens After |
|---|---|---|
| Subway station (local) | 1–3 days (approximate) | Transferred to operator’s central lost-and-found office |
| Subway operator central office | Approximately 1–3 months (varies by operator) | May be transferred to police or disposed of per regulations |
| Police station / LOST112 | Approximately 6 months (varies) | Auctioned, donated, or disposed of per law |
| Taxi company | Varies; driver required to hand in to police if unclaimed | Enters LOST112 system |
Confirm the exact policy with the relevant office, as rules can differ between operators and police districts.
Follow-up timing recommendations
- Within 1 hour: Go back to the station or call the taxi company. This is your best chance.
- After 24 hours: Check LOST112. Items are usually logged within one business day of being turned in.
- After 48–72 hours: Call the subway operator’s central lost-and-found office and ask if the item has been transferred from the station.
- After one week: Re-check LOST112 and update your lost item registration with any additional details.
FAQ: Common Lost-Item Questions for Foreign Visitors
What should I do first if I lost my phone in Korea?
Use Find My (iPhone) or Find My Device (Android) right away to locate or lock it, then report it to the nearest subway station or police station and register the loss on LOST112. If it was in a taxi, use your ride app’s lost item report.
How do I find a lost item on the Korea subway?
Go to the station agent booth, give the line, station, direction, time, and item description, then ask whether it has been moved to the operator’s central lost-and-found office. You can also check LOST112 after the item is logged.
How do I report a lost item in a taxi in Korea?
Use the receipt, app ride history, or card payment record to identify the taxi company or vehicle, then call immediately. If you used a booking app, submit the in-app lost item report as well.
What is LOST112 in Korea?
LOST112 is the official Korean police lost-and-found database. It is useful for items turned in to police, transferred from transit operators, or found in public places.
