The life of a Korean couple in their late 50s, the Lees who have called Tonga home for the past 24 years, was shattered when their house was broken into in January and again last week when they were attacked, injured and robbed as they returned home in the evening at Kolomotu'a.

Kui Young Lee and Choon Hee Kim are still in a state of shock over what happened to them. They own the popular Frangipani Korean Restaurant in the Nuku'alofa CBD. The couple have worked hard to educate their children, who were born and raised in Tonga and are proud to call Tonga home.

On 16 January the couple returned home to Hala Sipu, Talalo Sia, and discovered their house had been broken into and among the valuables missing were their Tongan and Korean passports.

A bigger shock, however, came on 4 February when the Lees arrived home between 9-10:00pm on the Thursday night in their car, when they were suddenly attacked by two young men.

Kui was driving and said that while his wife was unlocking the gate a young man emerged from the dark and started punching her and snatched her bag, which contained $400 pa’anga cash and two mobile phones.

At the same time another person emerged from the dark and was trying to open the car door and pull him out of the vehicle. The car window was down and the attacker hit Kui with a rock on his forehead, then dragged him out of the car.

The Lees saw the two assailants were already in the car with the engine still running, trying to make their escape. But Kui said the men could not figure out how the gears worked, and as they were struggling to take the car, neighbours emerged after hearing the commotion. The two assailants then got out of the vehicle and ran toward Sopu. 

After the Lees reported the incidence to the Tonga Police, a young man who allegedly attacked Mrs Lee and snatched her bag has been captured, but without the bag. The other attacker was still on the run.