South Korean arrested for luring Thai women into prostitution

By APD writer Chen Jiabao

**BANGKOK, Aug 18 (APD) ** -- A South Korean man arrested for luring Thai women into living as sex slaves in South Korea has been taken to court for detention on Friday, local media reported.

Kim Hyoung Joon, 39, was arrested by the Department of Special Investigation(DSI) under Ministry of Justice in Bangkok on Wednesday, according to Bangkok Biz News.

Kim, who was blacklisted for sex-trafficking and fled to Thailand three years ago, has been roping many Thai women into prostitution in South Korea, DSI deputy chief Songsak Raksakkaskul said on a press conference on Friday.

"Kim and his Thai wife serve as the agent. The couple told the Thai women that they are to work in South Korea as masseuses with provided accommodations and travel fees. Dozens of victims arrived there, only to find themselves forced to work as prostitutes. No condoms were used." Songsak said.

The arrest came after an urge from the Thai Women's Foundation. The federation said the victims in South Korea have asked for help. They asked the DSI to join hands with South Korean police to bust the sex-trafficking gang, leading an arrest of eight South Korean suspects in their country in Feburary.

The DSI also warns that massage is a protected sector for the disabled in South Korea. Encouraging foreigners to work as massagers in South Korea is illegal.

The DSI said it's worrying

that hundreds of Thai women, attracted by advertisements on social media, fall victims of human trafficking network every year.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)