Every post I read has merit. The subject has been well covered. I will post the numbers to call tomorrow that I don't have tonight, but were put out by Korean Officials who say they are determined to stop Trafficking as well as prostitution. The part about some officials being a part of it is true. Just as it is true in every country on the face of the earth. Do I believe it will stop?
No. Do I believe we can put a dent in it? Yes. Helping even one is helping.
Check back here tomorrow.

Added:Couldn't get other numbers today. use Mike's sites below or
humantraffickingkorea numbers.

AFN shows a commercial several times a day with a phone number to call if you suspect human trafficking. I would either call USFK Public Affairs or AFN.

USFK Public Affairs Contact
http://www.usfk.or.kr/en/disboard/contactus.php

AFN Korea
http://afnkorea.net/

Mike

__________________
Visit USFK Classifieds, the FREE classifieds in Korea!

I realize this subject may seem like exaggeration to some. I wish it were. I'm
going to relate a true short story that I am personally familiar with.

A certain person, "Bob", lets say, lived in a certain city in Korea & worked for a certain embassy, and had diplomatic immunity at the time. He was informed that a former female student he knew had been forced to work in a certain tearoom/bar. the student's father was a city policeman. Her father thought she had run away! A third party friend asked if "Bob" would accompany him and a city policeman, (who had been bribed to assist them with a carton of cigarettes), to visit the bar and attempt to rescue the girl. The three musketeers went in, showed the diplomatic I.D., and the Police Badge, and shortly walked out and into a taxi with the girl! "Bob" didn't realize that he had been up against Korean Mafia kidnappers until the ordeal was over!

It is real. It could be dangerous! Please give what facts you have to professionals and let them handle it. Don't confront strangers!

I love how every so often we have to make ourselves feel bad about what goes on in Korea like it has never happened or discussed before. I hit up the juicy bars every now and then and I'll buy the girls a juice cuz I feel bad for them. I do not feel too bad for them because as Mike said they do string along about 10 guys who probley know better but hell its just 10 dollars to have your very own girl who remembers your name and what not. I hate this post. Get some new material.

Oh and logic ill, your first post talked about attractive girls from some island... where the hell are my beautiful island girls!!!???

After reading this thread I would concur with Mike. There is reasonable doubt on the claims of forced prostitution. The women are coming to Korea for one purpose; to make money. They get a plane ticket, spending money and in many cases a lump sum that they give to their family. If you do not believe this look around Yongsan. How many men that are in their 60’s seen with girls who are young enough to be their granddaughters. There is also the bride mail order business. If you are able to read Hangul you will see the signs advertising young brides. The one thing they all have in common is they are from poor countries.

Some of these women enter Korea with opportunity to make money. I am not sure how many of them could sing. There are several excellent Korean entertainers. Why would there be a demand for women of other countries as singers. They are entertainers, not singers. If they sing a little, while performing, then they are probably making a little more. Are there sharks in the waters? In any business of this nature there are people of low scruples. It is a unfortunate these women are poor; however, that is fact of life we really have no control over. It is the law of averages of breaking out of the situation.

The investors have to protect their investment. If they were to give the individual a substantial amount of money and not hold something of value in return how long would you expect the individual to stay with that individual? I believe the number of individuals who would flip the tables given the opportunity would run the scam collect the revenue and leave.

I do not want to flame anyone; however, the contractor who has 4 months in country and has passed judgment is a little too hard to take serious.

The area near the Yongsan station has some of the most beautiful women in the world behind the glass. They all have one commonality. They like too have nice things and have ran up some hefty credit card bills. These individuals are attempting to make money to live a better life that what their current circumstances allow.

Right on Hiker-
I'm tired of the subject, like Ghostface says, too. We have covered it thoroughly.
The only thing we need to take with us when we leave this subject is that human trafficking exists, and it is a bad situation. Those of us under USFK are threatened by severe penalties if we contribute to trafficking OR prostitution in any form.

ALL the situations we talked about do NOT involve Kidnapping, Slavery, and "Human trafficking". Many use their free will, for whatever reason.

Now- life goes on, and boys and girls will do boy and girl things as their free will dictates! If that free will gets them in some hot water, well, so be it!

I hate to be told what to do by anyone. I don't want to be preached to. I want to be free. Now, if I could just get rid of my conscience, I'd be O.K.

I certainly don't want anyone to think that FUN is a bad thing!

Thanks again...The website someone provided was very helpful.
I am also trying to contact a person named "Father Glenn" has
anyone heard of or know him personally?

Thanks

Well, I came here to Korea to make money also. I have read one of the girls contract with her "agency". There was no lump sum given, no indication that she would be working 7 days a week with possibly 1 day off per month either. They are often in debt to the tune of 2k or more once they get here. There was no indication that they would have to work for two months before getting a single pay check, no indication that they would be selling 10 and 20 dollar drinks, no mention of bar finds, and no indication that they would be restricted to the confines of an apartment (if you want to call it that).

And that has what to do with them knowing what was ahead of them? This is not a bleeding heart issue. If a woman wants to sell her body - or her time, then that's her business...But if you think girls from 18 to 22 have enough experience to know what they are getting into, then I question your logic.

Yep...And that's another subject.

Sorry, it really sounds like you are saying they made their decision to be here so it's just tough luck and a very bad decision. Most of us don't have to do anything we don't want to do, and none of us are trapped into doing things that are illegal against our own will.

As far as the demand for imported women.....Why do you really think they are here? Aside from being a cheaper alternative than hiring Korean women?
How much money do you think it cost an "agency" to get visas, pass ports, and a one-way ticket to Korea? Yeah, ok...Charging a broke woman nearly Two Thousand dollars for what cost them $350 might not be criminal...Until they place the woman under so much debt that she cant reasonably expect to repay that debt without "performing" (as planned by the owners).

I think the secondary reason for importing so many foreign women into these clubs (particularly around military bases), is because the Korean communities in general, do not want American soldiers in their communities chasing after (and catching) Korean women in their communities.

That's a little bit like saying drug smugglers have to protect their investment. Bottom line is, human trafficking is extremely profitable, and of course it is also illegal. The club owners get away with it because....They can.

You assume that they are given a substantial amount of money, and I have yet to know one person that has ever received any such lump sum. They come here broke, and that is the design.

I don't feel the least bit flamed, my comment was that if you can type pages of horror stories, you would think that in the midst of it all there could be some words of advice and help. The website someone posted was an excellent source and start...It's all good. I appreciate the response.

But back to you...

Being new to Korea has nothing to do with rather or not some of these girls are coming here with no idea what is in store for them, and to say that most of them do is not correct. No doubt, some of the girls come here and have already been working as prostitutes in their own country, and perhaps for them they are making more money than they ever have. Some of them sell their bodies during their time off and are able to stash even more loot...And if they decide they are going to sell their bodies anyway, then they should make a profit without the consent or blessing of their club owner.

But some of these women do find themselves trapped here, treated very badly, and end up being pressured into accepting bar finds against their will. Most of the very young girls have family at home that have no idea what's really going on...And many are too ashamed to tell.

If a woman wants to stay here, so be it. But if someone realizes they have made a very, very horrible decision, they should be able to bail out and go back home...And not be subjected to this environment for 6 months to a year.

I think you know as well as I do, the difference between the picture that the agencies paint for these girls, and the picture they end up receiving.

I have the numbers and the website now...Thanks for your help

One the contrary, I expected (and have) taken with me...From this subject, more information than I had previously, Thanks to who ever it was that posted the website I was looking for.

That is the meat of the subject aint it? FREEDOM. Now you want yours, and have stated it more than once....I understand it, appreciate it. And that's my point. They should be free as well, and not have to suffer what you call hot water. They should have a choice seeing as how much of what goes on is infact human trafficking.

Depends on what you call fun, doesn't it? You having your fun at my expense could very well be a problem, and it doesn't have anything to do with rather or not you have a clear conscience either.

I disagree also, that the solution is to stay out of the clubs. I really don't have an issue with buying a girl a ten dollar drink. Either I will or I won't, that's my decision and yours also. And yeah, I do have fun when I go to the clubs with my partners...If the music is good, the girls are beautiful, nothing wrong with that. I have met some that call me and have (and some that yet want to), come to my apartment and cook, watch movies, do their laundry, even pamper themselves with a hot bubble bath....So don't get it twisted, They come because they want to, and I don't pay any bar find - They are women after all, and mutual attraction is still what it is.

I really don't have any beef with a guy who can't otherwise get any attention...Paying for a woman's time if she is ok with that. But when a club owner forces a woman to leave the club with a stranger because they put her under pressure and debt, and against her will....That aint fun, dude...That's human trafficking. And freedom aint nowhere to be found in that.