The Complex Battle Against Illegal Prostitution in South Korea
South Korea has long struggled with the issue of illegal prostitution, and law enforcement agencies are continuously adapting to counteract the evolving tactics used by these establishments. One recent case highlights the challenges faced by police officers who must go to great lengths to gather evidence against those involved in illicit activities.
Officer A, a police officer responsible for anti-prostitution efforts at a Seoul police station, recently visited an illegal prostitution establishment in May. To avoid detection, he concealed his identity as a police officer during the visit. This was done to create what is known as a “customer mileage record.” The reason for this strategy stems from the fact that many illegal establishments now only accept clients who have prior visit records. Officer A explained, “I stayed for only 15 minutes and then left, saying, ‘I’m not feeling well.’” He added, “Creating multiple visit records using one phone number is necessary to infiltrate the establishment for crackdowns.”
This method of infiltration underscores the increasing sophistication of illegal prostitution operations. As police raids become more frequent, these establishments have developed ways to evade detection. Traditionally, they have used secret escape routes or hidden rooms with multiple layers of barriers. However, in recent years, they have taken their strategies a step further by labeling phone numbers suspected of belonging to police as “police” or “investigator” and sharing this information via apps among other establishments. This practice aims to block undercover police visits that are intended to gather data on facility layouts and peak hours before raids.
On June 16, around 9 p.m., five police officers conducted a raid on a male-only bathhouse in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Behind the sauna, they discovered a hidden room where illegal massage services, including prostitution, were being offered. “Chief Kim! This way,” shouted three officers who had entered the establishment disguised as customers. As they opened a closed door, five “secret rooms” emerged in a space of about 10 pyeong.
The police arrested the owner, Mr. B, on suspicion of mediating prostitution. According to a police official, the hidden spaces were identified in advance through a “preliminary survey.” The official explained, “This establishment operated so secretly that we could only access it after accumulating multiple ‘visit records’ using unexposed phone numbers.”
In another significant development, the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency arrested and referred for prosecution a group that operated an app sharing personal information of male clients of prostitution establishments from March 2023 for about two years. The app stored approximately 4 million contact details, including customer visit histories, reviews, preferences, and whether individuals were suspected police officers. The group is alleged to have earned around 4.6 billion Korean won by selling the collected data to prostitution establishment operators.
These cases illustrate the ongoing struggle between law enforcement and illegal prostitution networks. As police officers develop new methods to infiltrate and gather evidence, the operators of these establishments continue to adapt, often using technology to stay one step ahead. The use of apps to share information about potential police officers highlights the extent to which these operations are organized and sophisticated.
The situation calls for continued vigilance and innovation from law enforcement agencies. It also raises important questions about the need for stronger legal frameworks to combat the growing threat posed by these underground networks. As the battle against illegal prostitution continues, both sides will likely keep refining their strategies in an effort to gain the upper hand.