By Yi Whan-woo
Police have busted a prostitution ring after raiding studio apartments, commonly known as offictels, in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul
The special investigation unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said Thursday it has arrested a 34-year-old man, surnamed Woo, for pimping while booking nine others on similar charges.
It added it is seeking a male suspect in his 30s who allegedly ran the prostitution business since October 2011.
The suspect, surnamed Kim, allegedly earned 3 billion won ($2.6 million) by running the illegal business at 24 officetels in the Gangnam district. The average number of customers per day was 65 and each of them paid 130,000 won, according to police.
“The monthly rent fee for each of the 24 units was 2 million won, but Kim did not have any trouble in making payments because he earned enough money to cover such expenses,” an investigator said.
Police said they kept an eye on those rooms that were suspected of being used as a brothel over a long period of time, adding the prostitution ring was “very well organized.”
The 10 people, including Woo, had played their part meticulously in such roles as brokers and accountants. There are meanwhile more accomplices that have so far evaded arrest.
According to police, Kim required his accomplices to only use mobile phones from rental services to avoid police trails.
“And what was surprising was that they even had our photos, to identify us in case we came to arrest them,” an investigator said.
The crackdown was part of Seoul police’s efforts to reduce the number of sex crimes. A total of 133 rings were busted while 147 people were apprehended since Sept. 4.
Police deems the number of prostitution rings operating their business at officetels have increased over the last few years.
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