Gangsters happy with their job

South Korean gangsters get more satisfaction from their line of work than the police, a report says.

The survey was conducted among 109 jailed mobsters by the Korean Institute of Criminal Justice, where 79.3 per cent of gangsters said they were somewhat or very satisfied with their life in organised crime.

About 65 per cent of police said they enjoyed their profession, a separate survey says.

South Korean gangsters make on average about $US4,255 a month, which is typically higher than the pay for police.

The criminal justice survey says crime syndicates in South Korea get most of their money through traditional methods such as extortion, prostitution and gambling.