A South Korean man has been nabbed by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for luring Thai women to his home country, where they were forced to work as prostitutes.
The arrest of Kim Hyong-joon in Bangkok on Wednesday followed a months-long investigation. The DSI had earlier been asked by a Thai women's foundation to help two victims of an alleged trafficking gang who said they had been offered jobs as "traditional Thai masseuses" in South Korea.
"The victims were forced to have sex. Their passports were seized. And they were under strict control to prevent escape," deputy DSI chief Songsak Raksaksakul said yesterday.
The foundation's complaint earlier led South Korean police to arrest eight Korean suspects on charges of human trafficking in February.
But Mr Kim entered Thailand three years ago after warrants for his arrest had been issued by Korean authorities. The DSI and police managed to locate his hideout and nabbed him at The Log 3 Condominium in Sukhumvit 101/1 in Phra Khanong district, Pol Col Songsak said.
The 39-year-old suspect was denied bail.
According to an initial joint investigation by Thai and Korean authorities, there is another suspect believed to have colluded in the secret sex service plot. The suspect has only been identified as a Thai woman, the deputy DSI chief said, adding his department is searching for her.
Mr Kim has long been wanted by Korean authorities for his alleged involvement in various crimes. Interpol also sought his arrest on charges of human trafficking.
Pol Lt Col Khomwit Phatthanarat, the DSI's chief of human trafficking prevention and suppression unit, warned Thai women to be wary of any offers of employment at traditional massage parlours in South Korea.
According to South Korean law, work in traditional massage parlours is reserved for Korean nationals. Foreigners caught doing the job will face legal action, he said.