More than 345,000 items were left behind on Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) trains last year, nearly triple the number recorded in 2021.

At the same time, the return rate has steadily fallen, meaning passengers now have a lower chance than before of automatically getting belongings back.

So if you leave something on a train, acting quickly matters.

First, report it immediately to KORAIL Lost & Found. You can do this through the KORAIL website, mobile app, or by calling the railway customer service center (1544-7788 in Korea).

Provide as much detail as possible — train number, departure and arrival stations, seat location, time, and a clear description of the item.

If you’re still at the station, visit the station office right away. Many items are collected shortly after arrival during cleaning, and early reports greatly increase recovery chances.

Next, check the national Lost112 police database at lost112.go.kr. Items not claimed by passengers are often transferred to nearby police stations after a holding period, so they may appear there instead of KORAIL’s system.

You should also monitor the status regularly. Bags and electronics are the most commonly lost items, but they are also frequently claimed by other passengers or moved between storage facilities, meaning they may be logged later.

If unclaimed for a certain period, items can be disposed of or processed according to regulations, so waiting too long significantly reduces the odds of recovery.

In short: report fast, check both KORAIL and police listings, and follow up often as speed is the biggest factor in getting your belongings back.

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Daegu