According to the traditional image of Korean children, they should be quiet and obedient, not problematic. But recent reports from some Korean organizations indicate that Korean youth in NY are being increasingly exposed to – and involved in – crime. While both parents work, due to the economic depression, unsupervised children are free to engage in destructive or illegal behavior, such as drinking, drugs, or gang involvement.

Experts on youth crime say that given the present economic situation, both parents have little choice but to work to support their family, and that this can often be perceived by children as an attitude of indifference, which may lead children into reckless and self-destructive behavior.

Experts emphasize the importance of quality care for children. According to law enforcement reports on gang activity, Korean gangs, gang members, and ex-convicts are known to authorities in Queens' Koreatown, and gang activity and youth involvement are under investigation there.

Ms. Sang-sook Lee, a representative of Youth & Family Focus said, "This year, we have seen a 70 percent increase over last year in the number of counseling cases related to gang crime, robberies, thefts, drug crime, etc. Children are left unsupervised while both parents work, and this leads many youth down the dangerous path to drinking, drug use, gang involvement, and gang-related criminal activity. The incidence of crime among gang members – purchasing and selling drugs, armed robbery, thefts – is high and such activity can carry a heavy sentence even for a youthful offender." She added, "A criminal record toady can influence any number of things, including entrance into college. This is something many kids don't think about."

"Youthful offenders are often released on probation instead of being sentenced. But if they violate the terms of their probation by committing another crime, they will end up with a criminal record that will follow them through life, and create all kinds of trouble with things like school enrollment or job searches," said Hong-gyun Chong, who practices criminal law in New York.

According to experts, Korean youth fall into crime as a response to their parents' perceived indifference, as well as what some experts call the parents' cavalier attitude toward their children's behavioral problems. For instance, noted Ms. Sang-sook Lee, of Youth and Family Focus, "Many parents will say about their children's alcohol consumption: I did that too when I was young! There's nothing wrong with it." Such a response can lead a child into further difficulty. Experts advise strong confrontation for first-time offenders, and a response that mirrors the seriousness of the problem; this will let the children know how serious the problem is, and that you take it – and them – seriously.

According to Mr. Sun-min Yoon, the vice-director of the NY Child Center, "In Koreatown, the number of youths being exposed to drinking, drugs, and gang crime at such normally harmless venues as karaoke bars is on the rise. Some bar owners are failing to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors, and this just makes the problem worse."

Meanwhile, the 109th Precinct, which patrols Flushing, is paying particular attention to parks and public places from 10 p.m. to sunrise, in an effort to thwart gang crime, public intoxication, the use and sale of drugs, and other youth-related crimes. In many cases, when a youthful offender is apprehended, they are kept for 24 hours under supervision and then released. When crimes involve weapons or drugs, the offender will end up before a judge.