Police to Intensify Crackdown on Online Sex Trade Including 'Random Chat Apps' Until End of September

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The National Police Agency announced on the 10th that it will conduct intensive crackdowns on online prostitution, including through 'random chat apps,' until the end of September.

The main targets of the crackdown are online prostitution offenders using random chat apps and prostitution brokerage sites. The categories include ▲ operators of prostitution brokerage sites ▲ prostitution brokers ▲ juvenile buyers of sex and those who lure or induce them.

The police plan to carry out intensive crackdowns on juvenile prostitution offenders and prostitution brokerage sites, along with blocking phone numbers used for prostitution advertisements. They will also promote joint crackdowns upon request from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Even after the crackdowns, follow-up investigations will be conducted to arrest building owners and brokers involved in prostitution, and to recover criminal proceeds through pre-indictment seizure and notification to the National Tax Service, thereby fundamentally preventing re-operation.

Additionally, for victimized children and adolescents, the police will strengthen post-management by linking with support organizations to prevent further harm, and will also protect victims of prostitution who were coerced through intimidation or force.

A police official stated, "Amid growing concerns over juvenile sexual exploitation crimes following the 'Telegram Nth Room incident,' chat apps have become a hotbed for online prostitution," adding, "We will block the spread by intensively cracking down on online prostitution using random chat apps and prostitution brokerage sites."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.