Taiwanese tourist recovers W1.3m left in Busan taxi with police help

A Taiwanese tourist visiting Busan recovered 1.3 million won ($927) in cash and other valuables left in a taxi, with help from local police.

On Wednesday, the tourist visited the Songjeong Police Box in Haeundae-gu and asked for help, saying they had left a wallet in a taxi but did not know the vehicle's license plate number. The wallet contained 1.3 million won in cash set aside for a family trip, along with other valuables.

Officers at the Songjeong Police Box stepped in, mindful of the tourist's predicament — stranded in an unfamiliar city without travel funds.

Police tracked down a bus believed to have been stopped near where the tourist had exited the taxi, used its dashcam footage to identify the taxi's license plate number, and immediately contacted the driver to retrieve the wallet.

"We will continue to provide the help needed so that tourists visiting Busan can leave with safe and warm memories," a Haeundae Police Station official said.