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W20-million reward offered to fight prostitution
By Lee Jin-woo
August 23, 2004
Anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of sex slave traffickers
will be eligible to receive a reward of up to 20 million won ($17,300) as part
of efforts by law enforcement authorities to crack down on prostitution.
The Ministry of Justice on Sunday announced new regulations governing
punishments against prostitution, which introduces a reward system for
reporting on forced prostitution and closed hearings for victims.
Under the new rules, which will go into effect on Sept. 23, a maximum reward of
20 million won will be available for those who help the authorities arrest
human traffickers forcing teens or physically disabled people into unwanted
prostitution.
The regulations will allow informers to report cases of forced prostitution on
condition of anonymity. However, those who have engaged in sexual relations
with prostitution victims will not be entitled to the reward.
Regarding the principle banning the disclosure of any personal information
during investigations into sex slave cases, the victims will be allowed to ask
for their personal data to be protected with a verbal request during court
hearings, a ministry official said.
"We’ve decided to offer a reward to those who help us in cracking down on sex
slave traffickers and prostitution business operators," he said.
He urged the public to join hands with authorities to eliminate forced
prostitution and protect the human rights of victims, especially minors.
Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities will be required to take several aspects
of sex slave traffickers into consideration, including their personality,
workplace, family relationships, the possibility of a recurrence of similar
crimes and the motive for the criminal act, before they are prosecuted.
As part of measures to fight against teenage prostitution, the Commission on
Youth Protection has made public lists containing the names of 2,470 sex
offenders since Aug. 2001.
The list, which gives the names, ages, birth dates and occupations of those
convicted of sex crimes against minors, is available on the commission’s
homepage (www.youth.go.kr) for six months. The list is also posted on bulletin
boards at major public offices nationwide for one month.
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