Hundreds of names in ‘hostess’ investigation

A secret ledger that contains records of prostitution has been found at an adult entertainment business in Mokpo, South Jeolla, and is being investigated by the police.

“We have obtained a so-called ‘secondary ledger’ that contains around 400 numbers from a hostess bar in downtown Mokpo and are investigating the occurrence of prostitution,” Police Section Chief Jung Hwan-su said on Tuesday.

The ledger was found during a police investigation of an assault by a customer on a female employee.

Three ledgers were kept by the bar hostess since last September.

The first ledger contained total sales each day and the number of customers at drinking sessions. The second ledger contained the list of prostitutes and the last ledger contained the mobile numbers of the male clients. The police have been investigating the 400 men listed on the ledger for approximately two months and have so far issued summonses to 200 of them.

As the investigation has progressed, the Mokpo area has been turned upside down. Rumors that Mokpo area businessmen and civil servants are involved have been spreading.

The investigation is problematic. The authenticity of the cases is difficult to determine because the prostitution took place in motels and other secret locations. And the detectives are overworked trying to interview all the suspects.

“We cannot conclude that being on the ledger means the suspect was involved in prostitution, so we are investigating very carefully,” Jung said.

“The jobs and personal details of the men involved have not been categorized in great detail.”

By Yu Jee-ho [hwaone@joongang.co.kr]