[Sportschosun Reporter Jang Jong-ho] Child sexual exploitation involving foreign tourists is emerging as a serious social problem in Laos, Southeast Asia.
It was revealed that the main customers are men from South Korea, China, and Japan.
The joint investigation by Ameba Times and TV Asahi aired for the first time recently.
An undercover freelance reporter pointed out that pedophiles targeting girls in their early teens are visiting Laos and exploiting them sexually.
Managers at local establishments told the reporters, "There are many Chinese and Korean customers. Quite a few Japanese also come." They added, "A short stay costs 300,000 kip, or about 20,000 won, and an overnight stay costs 600,000 kip, or about 40,000 won."
According to the broadcast, three girls were in a small room, and the manager claimed they were "18 or 19 years old."
But when the reporters asked their actual ages, the girls lowered their heads and did not answer.
The reporters said they appeared to be hiding their real ages.
The program also showed a 12-year-old girl who said she had met a foreigner. When a local man asked her, "Why are you so young and doing sex work?" she replied, "My mother has debt, so I have to pay it off."
The broadcast noted that children driven by poverty and debt are becoming victims of crime.
Although prostitution is illegal in Laos, the program said enforcement and punishment are rare, and many people falsely claim to be 18 or older.
Meanwhile, UNICEF, the UN child welfare agency, has reported that about one in 10 children in Laos experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18.
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
