In South Korea, when it comes to job satisfaction, gangsters are happier with their lot than policemen, it seems.

A poll of 109 convicted mobsters by the Korean Institute of Criminal Justice found that 79.3 per cent were satisfied with a life of crime.

That compared favourably with the police, of whom only 65 per cent said they enjoyed their profession.

South Korean gangsters make on average about 4 million won (A£2,171) a month, which is typically higher than the pay for police.

The studies are not believed to have taken into account gangsters acting as moles within the police department, or undercover policemen posing as gangsters.

metro