Sex trafficking in South Korea

Sex trafficking in South Korea is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in the Republic of Korea. South Korea is a country of origin, destination, and transit for sexually trafficked persons.

South Korean citizen and foreign victims are sex trafficked into and out of the provinces of South Korea. They are raped and physically and psychologically harmed in brothels, businesses, homes, hotel rooms, and other locations within these administrative divisions.

South Korean citizens, primarily women and girls, have been sex trafficked within South Korea and to other countries in Asia and different continents. Foreign victims are sex trafficked into the country.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Children[9][10] and persons in poverty are particularly vulnerable to sex trafficking. Victims are deceived,[2][4][7][9][8] threatened,[9] and or forced into prostituition and their passports and other documents are often taken.[1][3][5] Many are enslaved in debt bondage.[1][3] They suffer physical and psychological abuse[9] and are typically locked up or guarded[5] in poor conditions. Some are murdered.[9] A number contract sexually transmitted diseases from rapes with no condoms.[9] Cybersex trafficking and forced performances in live pornographic videos, as seen in the Nth room case and other incidents, is a growing issue.[11]

Male and female traffickers[5] in South Korea come from all social and economic classes. Traffickers are often members of or facilitated by crime organizations and gangs.[5] Traffickers use internet websites, email, and apps to lure victims.[9] Sex tafficking is linked to the enterinament industry and women and girls are also trafficked to businesses catering to military servicmen and contractors in United States Forces Korea. ‘Juicy bars’ with sex trafficked victims have been a problem in regards to the United States Military and prostitution in South Korea. [3][7][8]

The extent of sex trafficking in South Korea is difficult to know because of the lack of data, clandestine nature of sex trafficking crimes, and other factors.

Non-governmental organizations

Stand Up Against Sex-Trafficking of Minors, also known as Teens Up, conducts anti-sex trafficking efforts in South Korea.[9]

Sex Trafficking of Children in South Korea

The number of child victims trafficked worldwide for sexual exploration or cheap labor on an annual basis is 1.2 million.[12] In South Korea, it's mainly young females who are trafficked from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, North Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries. South Korea has been known as a source country for child sex tourists, and South Korean women and girls are also internally trafficked. [12]

In March 2020, Korean news organizations revealed details about a series of cases of sex trafficking through chat rooms, encrypted messaging apps (such as Telegram and Discord).[13] In these cases, "at least 74 women and 16 minors performing forced sex acts for thousands of viewers who paid cryptocurrency to view it". The victims were tortured and referred to as "slaves".[13] This case is closely related to the prevalence and growth of spy cameras in South Korea, also known as "Molka".

References
  1. "K-pop hopefuls from Brazil forced into prostitution in South Korea, police announce". South China Morning Post. September 2, 2019.
  2. "Thai teen rescued from forced prostitution in South Korea". Nation Thailand. November 16, 2017.
  3. "USFK: Troops cannot pay for the companionship of "juicy girls"". Military Times. October 30, 2014.
  4. "They wanted to be K-pop stars. Instead, these Brazilian women were forced into prostitution, police say". CNN. September 4, 2019.
  5. "South Korean arrested for trafficking Thai women for sex trade". South China Morning Post. August 19, 2017.
  6. "S. Korea still failing to effectively fight human trafficking". English Hani. February 24, 2016.
  7. "Seoul: Filipinas forced into sex trade with foreigners and US soldiers". Asia News. January 1, 2009.
  8. "USFK video links 'juicy bars' with human trafficking". Stars and Stripes. December 20, 2012.
  9. "Underage sex trafficking in South Korea getting worse". asiaone. April 16, 2019.
  10. "Police identify 8,000 people in South Korea's sex trade". PRI. November 2, 2011.
  11. "What is 'Nth Room' case and why it matters". Korea Herald. April 24, 2020.
  12. "Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People". 2012.
  13. "South Korea reels from latest high-tech, online sex trafficking case". The World from PRX. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
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