[Exclusive] 40-year-old 660-square-meter prostitution massage parlor next to elementary school exposed

[The Financial News] A group that had been operating a large massage parlor of more than 660 square meters in Dongdaemun District, Seoul, and arranging prostitution has been caught by police. Police believe that prostitution had been taking place at this massage parlor for more than 40 years, even though it is located just 180 meters from a nearby elementary school.
According to police on the 20th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Morals Crime Investigation Team on the 14th conducted a search and seizure of massage parlor A in Dongdaemun District, Seoul, and at the same time arrested 10 people, including the owner, a man in his 50s surnamed Kim, employees, women engaged in prostitution, and customers, on charges including arranging prostitution.
Kim is accused of hiring female hostesses and arranging prostitution for male customers in exchange for 240,000 won in cash. A police investigation found that from late October 2024 until this month, Kim had leased the premises under an acquaintance’s name, covertly operated the business, and posted promotional ads on prostitution advertising websites.
Massage parlor A has a floor area of 717 square meters and has been in operation for more than 40 years since it was first registered in 1982. The establishment is located within an educational environment protection zone, just 180 meters from a nearby elementary school.
Based on the fact that acts of arranging prostitution at this establishment had been detected multiple times in the past, police believe that prostitution had been continuously taking place there for decades.
In early December last year, police opened a preliminary inquiry and began an investigation by analyzing posts on prostitution advertising websites, through which they detected the crimes committed by Kim and his accomplices. They then obtained search and seizure warrants and communication warrants, and in mid-month conducted an on-site raid disguised as customers while simultaneously executing the search and seizure.
During the operation, police seized 10 massage beds, seven mobile phones, cash, and business ledgers. It is unusual for police to seize beds that were used at a prostitution site.
All of the suspects who were arrested are said to have admitted to the prostitution-related charges. Police are reviewing whether to seek an arrest warrant for Kim.
A police official said, “We plan to conduct digital forensic analysis of the seized mobile phones and continue additional investigations, including determining the period of criminal activity and the amount of criminal proceeds for each suspect and recovering those proceeds.”
yesji@fnnews.com Kim Ye-ji Reporter