Package thief condemned for 'breaking unspoken rule' in Korea

What happened: A man was fined for stealing an unguarded package left at a designated spot for residents of an apartment complex in Gwangju. The Gwangju District Court convicted him on Oct. 15. Key numbers: Fine of 1 million won ($750), higher than the 700,000 won requested by prosecutors. The package held about 100,000 won of items, which were returned to the owner. Why it matters: The court said the heavier punishment was needed because the theft broke social trust in the unspoken rule against taking others' packages, and the defendant had not been forgiven by the victim.

A man was fined for stealing an unguarded package left at a designated spot for residents of an apartment complex in Gwangju. The Gwangju District Court convicted him on Oct. 15.

The court said the heavier punishment was needed because the theft broke social trust in the unspoken rule against taking others' packages, and the defendant had not been forgiven by the victim.