Foreign Criminals Dominate Illegal Businesses in South Korea

A Growing Concern: Foreign Nationals Control Illegal Markets

Seoul, South Korea - A recent report highlights the alarming rise of foreign nationals dominating illegal businesses in South Korea, including drug-smuggling, extortion, and sex trade. These criminal networks have links to organized crime groups from countries such as the US, Japan, Russia, China, and Taiwan.

Organized Crime: A Threat to the Economy

The report emphasizes the struggle of South Korea to combat organized crime, with many criminal networks operating in the entertainment industry, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. These groups have expanded their operations to other countries, including China and Mexico, using them as transit points to avoid law enforcement controls.

Challenges Faced by the Country’s Economy

The country’s economy is facing challenges posed by criminal organizations involved in illegal activities, including human trafficking, which have infiltrated industries such as entertainment and nightclubs. Despite laws in place to address unlawful debt collection, there have been no significant changes to national legislation to regulate the involvement of criminal groups in the country’s economy.

Lack of Protection for Labor Trafficking Victims

The report also notes that labor trafficking victims lack protection, with law enforcement officials not adequately trained to identify and refer trafficking victims to support services. Foreign trafficking victims are also not encouraged to participate as witnesses during investigations because they cannot obtain long-term or permanent residency permits.

Government Initiatives: Awareness Campaigns and Hotlines

To address these issues, the government has launched several initiatives, including awareness campaigns and hotlines to prevent human trafficking, as well as training programs for prosecutors and labor inspectors. However, NGOs have criticized the effectiveness of these measures.

Progress in Combating Organized Crime

Despite challenges, the report notes that South Korea has made significant progress in combating organized crime, with the establishment of a new corruption investigative body and increased efforts to protect victims of crime. The government has also implemented anti-money laundering regulations and introduced sanctions against companies that fail to report suspicious transactions.

Conclusion: A Robust Economy and International Cooperation Key Factors

The report concludes that while there is still much work to be done to combat organized crime in South Korea, the country’s robust economy and growing international cooperation are key factors in its ability to address these challenges effectively.