Juveniles below criminal age steal 4 million won in Pokémon cards, respond to victim's warning text with a single character

Two middle school students below the age of criminal responsibility stole 4 million won ($2,600) worth of Pokémon cards from an unmanned store in South Jeolla Province.

The Gwangyang Police Station in South Jeolla Province recently booked two male middle school students on theft charges and is investigating the case, according to JTBC's "Sageon Banjang," a TV crime news program, on Wednesday.

The two are suspected of stealing Pokémon cards and other items worth 4 million won from an unmanned general goods store in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, on May 30.

Store owner A reviewed CCTV footage and found that the pair had entered the store with their faces covered by clothing, then swept boxes of Pokémon cards into plastic bags.

They then opened all the Pokémon card packs in a communal restroom at a nearby apartment complex, discarded the packaging on the floor and left.

The stolen goods were later sold through secondhand trading apps including Danggeun Market. The two reportedly sent a female student to meet buyers in their place to conceal their identities, but police ultimately tracked them down.

Police confirmed that both boys were under 14 — the minimum age for criminal liability under South Korean law. One had already been referred to a juvenile reformatory in connection with a separate theft case.

Owner A said neither the students nor their parents had offered a proper apology. A sent a text message to one of the students warning that the parents would be held responsible and that, if they failed to resolve the matter, the student would face consequences through civil and criminal litigation. "I'll show you the world is a scary place," A wrote — but the student replied with a single Korean vowel character. The student's parents have been unreachable.

Speaking through the program, A said total damages exceed 10 million won, yet no apology or offer of settlement has been received. "The most frustrating reality of juvenile cases below the age of criminal responsibility is that victims are left to bear all the time, costs and stress on their own," A said.