Police cracked down on large prostitution businesses and harmful businesses near schools in the first quarter (January–March) of this year, uncovering 95 places. Police apprehended a total of 170 people, including business operators, and seized 28.9 million won in prostitution brokerage payments and other funds.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced the results of the crackdown on the 2nd.
On the 26th of last month, police raided a large prostitution business in the Gangnam area and apprehended 10 people, including the operator, on charges of violating the Act on the Punishment of Acts of Arranging Sexual Traffic.
This business, spanning about 250 pyeong from one basement level to four floors above ground, has engaged in prostitution in the same building for more than 20 years. Police conducted multiple crackdowns, but the business continued operations by merely changing the operator. In particular, it was found to have solicited foreign tourists and arranged prostitution through internet sites.
Police also uncovered five large businesses that had brokered prostitution for decades near schools. In Dongdaemun District, a prostitution business that had operated for 40 years near an elementary school was busted. In Gangnam District, the operator and employees of a business that had operated for 10 years near a girls' high school were apprehended.
These businesses also continued long-term operations by changing their trade names or putting forward a "figurehead." Each district office is proceeding with closure procedures to prevent them from reopening.
Illegal game rooms in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo District, and Garibong-dong, Guro District, were also targeted for intensive crackdowns. Working with the Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC) and the Immigration Office, police uncovered 12 places engaged in illegal activities such as modifying game machines and exchanging cash. Police apprehended 15 operators and seized a total of 177 game machines and other items.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said it will actively pursue punishment of landlords who allowed illegal operations and the recovery of criminal revenue, adding that it will work with relevant agencies to impose tax and administrative sanctions simultaneously to increase the effectiveness of crackdowns.