Two Korean women are seen in security camera footage, who were caught stealing a foreign tourist's bag at a cafe in Goreme, a popular tourist destination in Cappadocia, Turkey. Captured from YouTube channel haber384

Two Korean tourists have been arrested in Turkey for stealing a bag containing cash worth around 22 million won ($16,500) from another tourist in the country's popular travel destination, Cappadocia, known for its hot air balloon rides.

According to the Turkish news agency DHA, on Aug. 27, an Albanian tourist visited a cafe in the village of Goreme in Nevsehir Province.

The tourist left his bag hanging on a chair while he and his companions enjoyed drinks. Realizing later that he had forgotten his bag, he returned to the cafe, only to find it missing.

The bag contained a large amount of cash, including 1,500 Australian dollars and 12,100 British pounds, along with passports and other identification documents.

Upon receiving the report, the police analyzed the cafe's security camera footage and identified two Asian women who had sat at the table where the Albanian tourist group had been seated. The footage showed them looking around cautiously before taking the bag from the chair and leaving the cafe.

Two Korean women, who were caught stealing a foreign tourist's bag at a cafe in Goreme village, Cappadocia, Turkey, are seen ordering food. Captured from YouTube channel haber384

Through additional footage from the cafe's counter, the police identified the suspects' faces and subsequently tracked them down near their accommodation.

The suspects, later confirmed to be Korean nationals, reportedly claimed they "took the bag by mistake while drunk."

Footage of the crime was also shared on a YouTube channel, leading to outrage among Koreans.

Comments expressed embarrassment, with some saying, "They are bringing shame to Korea in a brotherly country," while others added, "I want to apologize to the Turkish people on their behalf."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.