Massage parlor list scares politicians, businessmen

Police have recently raided a massage parlor in Yeouido, Seoul, home to the National Assembly and major financial firms, to secure thousands of credit card receipts, scaring customers suspected of paying for sex there.

Investigators from Yeongdeungpo Police Station said Wednesday that they raided the massage parlor last month and confiscated nearly 4,500 credit card receipts.

The shop proved to be one of many massage parlors illegally selling sex. Police believe some politicians, their aides and businessmen are among customers frequenting the business.

The massage parlor is located in the basement of a building just across the street from the parliament building. Its nominal owner and employees were booked for questioning, with police hunting for the actual owner.

“Twenty private rooms were found and guests bought sex for 160,000-180,000 won ($148-166),” said an investigator familiar with the case. “An investigation is underway to identify credit card users. The work has yet to be done, but we have already found the use of corporate cards issued for companies in Yeouido.”

The investigator refused to provide detailed information about confirmed users for privacy concerns.

He also refused to say whether any lawmakers or parliament staff members are involved.

Police plan to summon visitors for questioning. “The use of the credit card there doesn’t necessary mean its holder bought sex. We will deal with the case cautiously,” the investigator said.

국회 앞 안마시술소 급습.. ‘여의도가 떨고 있다’

경찰이 최근 수천 장의 신용카드 영수증을 확보하기 위해 국회와 주요 금융회사들이 들

어서 있는 여의도를 급습, 성매매 혐의를 받고 있는 사람들을 불안에 떨게 하고 있다.

영등포 경찰서 수사관들은 지난달 안마시술소를 급습 4천5백여 장에 달하는 신용카드 영수증을 압수했다고 밝혔다.

이 안마시술소는 국회 앞 거리 건너편 빌딩 지하에 자리잡고 있다. 경찰은 이 안마시술소의 명목상 소유주와 종업원들을 입건했으며 실제 소유주를 찾고 있다.

“급습 결과 20개의 방을 발견했으며 손님들은 16만원 내지 18만원을 주고 성매매를 했다”고 한 수사관이 밝혔다. “현재 신용카드를 사용한 사람의 신원을 확인하기 위한 수사가 진행 중 이다. 신원 확인 작업이 아직 끝나지는 않았으나 여의도 소재 회사의 법인카드 사용내역들을 찾아냈다”고 밝혔다.