Elementary students rob PC bang safe, bow to CCTV — then return to complain

A group of students believed to be in elementary school broke into a safe at a PC bang in Gangwon Province, stole cash and fled — then bowed toward a security camera on their way out. The following day, they returned and confronted the owner.

The incident took place at a PC bang in Gangwon Province on June 24, according to Yonhap News Agency. Closed-circuit television footage showed one student opening the safe and removing cash while another kept watch nearby. The footage also captured the moment the stolen bills were handed off.

Immediately after the theft, the students were seen bowing toward the CCTV camera. The owner's father was seated near the counter at the time, but the students appeared unfazed, calmly opening the safe and taking the money in plain sight.

After reviewing the footage and confirming the theft, owner A posted still images from the CCTV recording at the counter. The next day, the students returned, saw the posted images and proceeded to confront A.

As they left, the students gave a thumbs-up and called out "number one," appearing to mock the staff.

"The amount stolen was about 100,000 won ($65), which wasn't much, but the children's behavior was more shocking than the money itself," A told Yonhap by phone. "I was dumbfounded to see them commit the theft so brazenly, knowing there was a CCTV camera, and then bow to it."

"What was even more absurd was that they came back the next day and demanded to know why I had put up the photos," A said. "There was no apology, no offer to pay back what they took — they just acted like nothing had happened. I wasn't even angry anymore. I just felt hollow."

A believes the students are elementary school-aged based on the CCTV footage and tips from people in the area. Evidence suggesting other students were also involved has emerged, and A has submitted the relevant materials to police.

Police are working to identify the students using the CCTV footage and A's account, and are investigating the full circumstances of the incident. If the students are confirmed to be in elementary school, they would fall under the category of juvenile under criminal age and face protective measures — such as community service or referral to a juvenile reformatory — rather than criminal prosecution.