Police plan to crack down on overseas sex trafficking by restricting convicted offenders from receiving passports.

The NPA revealed a set of measures designed to root out the practice of Koreans taking part in the international sex trade, which also tarnishes the country’s reputation.
Measures include restricting the issuance of passports to convicted offenders.

The revised Passport Act enables the refusal or restriction as well as confiscation of a passport held by someone who ‘have been recognized by overseas diplomatic missions or related administrative agencies as having gravely damaged Korea’s reputation by taking part in acts such as illegal activities overseas.’

Int) Supt. Lee Jae-hoon/Foreign Affairs Investigation Division
Q. What measures are you taking against overseas sex traffickers?
“The revised Passport Act will soon be enforced to allow the restricted issuance of passports to overseas sex traffickers. The NPA plans to actively collect investigative data on international sex traffickers through police officers dispatched overseas, inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and make sure that the offenders are not issued passports.”

In line with such efforts, the NPA will form a taskforce team with the Ministry on investigating overseas sex trafficking crimes and boost on-site crackdowns by using intelligence activities at overseas sex trade establishments frequented by Koreans.

Additionally, with the cooperation and participation of the travel industry, the NPA plans to send to travel agencies a document that outlines how those who engage in the sex trade overseas can be prosecuted by Korean law. Additionally, guides will receive greater education on the overseas sex trade.              

Police added that they will conduct a three-month special crackdown on overseas sex trade, concentrating on brokers and offenders who illegally make their way in and out of the country.