The Jeju Immigration Office stated that a total of 369 people had applied for refugee status from China, Yemen and elsewhere between January and April of this year. (image: Yonhap)
JEJU, Jun, 28 (Korea Bizwire) — Yemeni refugees who are currently staying on Jeju Island have helped local residents find their wallets on a few occasions.
According to the Jeju Dongbu Police Station’s Ora Patrol Division, Yemeni refugees have visited the police branch to turn in lost items that they had recovered on four different occasions.
On June 1, a wallet was found on the street near Jeju City Hall, while on June 6, a smartphone and a wallet were found in front of the Jeju Bus Terminal. In both instances, the items were returned to the police station.
One wallet contained 2,000 won in cash and three credit cards. In the other wallet was 80,000 won in cash, a debit card and an ID card.
On June 5, a third wallet found by Yemeni refugees on a bus contained 670,000 won and a credit card. On June 21, the fourth wallet discovered contained 550,000 won in cash.
Fortunately, all of the wallets were returned to their rightful owners.
Officer Kim Sang-hun, head of the Ora Patrol Division, said that each time, two or three Yemeni refugees came together to report the lost and found incidents.
Kim cited those who were familiar with the Yemenis as saying that most of the refugees were mild in nature.
“But in order to protect both the local residents and refugees, patrolling efforts in the district have been strengthened,” said Kim.
Meanwhile, a total of seven cases have been filed at the police station regarding the refugees ever since they were permitted to land on Jeju soil in early May.
There were two complaints of disturbances, three emergency patients including one pregnant woman, one individual asking for directions, and one case regarding personal problems. Not a single report was filed regarding crime.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
