As copper prices rise, non-ferrous metals are becoming a new target for thieves in South Korea, leading to an increasing number of cases involving the theft of copper plaques from bridges across the country. Authorities have discovered that 47 copper plaques installed on small bridges across eight villages in Samcheok City, Gangwon Province, have gone missing. Replacing these plaques is estimated to cost approximately 100 million won (about 462,000 yuan), imposing a significant financial burden on local governments. Similar incidents have been reported recently in other regions. Last month, police arrested a man in his 40s suspected of stealing more than 850 plaques from 254 bridges in South Jeolla and North Jeolla Provinces over one month. The individual allegedly sold the stolen plaques to scrap dealers, profiting about 40 million won (approximately 184,800 yuan). Police believe the motive for these crimes is likely linked to the recent surge in copper prices. Over the past year, copper prices have climbed sharply, reaching a record high of $14,500 per ton on the London Metal Exchange earlier this year—nearly triple last year's price. There are concerns that such thefts may become more frequent as individuals seek to profit from the high value of copper.
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