Korean Embassy in Laos warns against sex tourism
A notice by the Korean Embassy in Laos warning against prostitution / Captured from the embassy’s website
The Korean Embassy in Laos has issued an official warning urging Korean visitors not to engage in sex tourism, stressing that such acts not only damage the country’s image abroad but also carry criminal penalties under Laotian law.
The embassy posted a notice titled “Prohibition of Prostitution in Laos” on its website on Sept. 18. “As overseas travel by our citizens increases, there have been media reports of some travelers becoming involved in prostitution,” the statement said. “Reports have also been received that certain visitors to Laos are engaging in illegal activities that harm public morals.”
The embassy said soliciting prostitution is a serious offense. “It not only undermines the national image of Korea but also erodes the trust that the Korean community in Laos has built,” the embassy said. “Please be reminded that prostitution is subject to criminal punishment under Laotian law.”
According to Article 260 of the Laotian Penal Code, anyone engaged in prostitution or aiding and abetting it faces three months to one year of imprisonment, detention or a fine.
Procuring sexual services is punished under the same provision. Engaging in sexual activity with a trafficking victim is considered human trafficking and can result in five to 10 years in prison, fines and confiscation of property.
More severe penalties apply in cases involving minors. Article 250 stipulates prison terms ranging from one to three years for sexual relations with minors aged 15 to 17, three to five years for those aged 12 to 14 and 10 to 15 years for victims under the age of 11, along with fines.
Last year, controversy erupted in Korea after an online post appeared to describe visits to Laotian brothels involving minors.
The embassy also noted that Koreans caught soliciting or engaging in sex work abroad may face punishment twice. Under Korea’s “personal principle” of jurisdiction, citizens are subject to the Korean Penal Code even when crimes are committed overseas. This means offenders can be punished both under Laotian law and again under Korean law after returning home.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.