On May 11, the Chosun Ilbo reported that Seoul police had arrested three Japanese women in their 20’s for alleged breaches of the Immigration Control Act. They entered South Korea under the false pretense of “tourism purposes” when in fact they were involved in prostitution. The police also arrested four Korean business owners and others on suspicion of facilitating the acts. At least ten other Japanese women are believed to be involved in prostitution and their whereabouts are being sought.
The three Japanese were caught red-handed inside a hotel in Gangnam, Seoul, on May 9th. Japanese nationals can stay in South Korea for up to 90 days without a visa for tourism purposes, which the police believe was abused.
According to the Chosun Ilbo, the managers had been attracting customers through advertisements on the internet. It included photographs of the women and also noted their body shape, the price and whether they spoke Korean. The fees were at most 1,550,000 won (approx. ¥170,000).
