The Shadow of Business Restrictions After 9 PM... Surge in Theft Incidents at PC Bangs

PC Bang Open 24 Hours
Thefts Continue After Closing at 9 PM

Expert Says "Efforts Needed to Strengthen Security"

The photo is unrelated to the article content. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Recently, a series of incidents have occurred where thieves secretly break into PC bangs and steal cash and expensive computer components. With sales already declining due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the occurrence of theft incidents has increased the anxiety of business owners.

According to the police on the 24th, around 3 a.m. on the 20th, two thieves broke into a PC bang in Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi Province by breaking the door and stole valuables. They stole cash from the counter and an entire safe, which is estimated to be worth about 4 million won.

At around 3 a.m. on the 18th, a man broke into a PC bang in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi Province and stole computer parts such as CPUs and graphics cards worth tens of millions of won. Around 1 a.m. the previous day, a thief also broke into a PC bang in Okjeong New Town, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi Province, stealing core components including CPUs worth about 30 million won. Cigarette butts and half-finished beverage bottles were found at both locations. The police are investigating the possibility that the two incidents were committed by the same perpetrator, analyzing CCTV footage and conducting further investigations.

These theft crimes appear to have taken advantage of the security lapses after PC bangs, which used to operate 24 hours, closed after 9 p.m. due to strengthened social distancing measures. One PC bang owner said, "Because PC bangs operate 24 hours, staff are always present, so we have not paid much attention to internal security," adding, "There is always a worry that thieves might break in during the night when the doors are closed."

In September last year, when PC bangs were ordered to restrict operations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a man identified as A (25) was caught by the police after breaking into closed PC bangs and stealing cash. A broke the doors of three PC bangs in Gyeonggi Province with bricks, secretly entered, and stole 1.5 million won in cash before being arrested.

Professor Lee Geon-su of the Department of Police Science at Baekseok University said, "It is necessary to create a checklist to inspect vulnerable points to external intrusion and make efforts to strengthen security, such as installing CCTV."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.