[KS] Posting request for Koreanstudies bulletin

[Alison Tokita]

KOREAN STUDIES SEMINAR:
Dr. Sallie Yea (School of Social Science and Planning, RMIT University) 
will present her recent research on the topic:

Sex Trafficking and the US Military: Experiences of Trafficked Women in 
South Korea

On Thursday 7 October, 2004, at 15:00 in Room: W511 (LCL library), 
Menzies Building (11), Monash University Clayton Campus, Melbourne

Abstract:
Since 1998 substantial numbers of Filipino and Russian women have been 
trafficked into both American and Korean oriented clubs, bars and 
brothels in South Korea, usually entering legally on E-6, 
or "entertainer" visas. Upon deployment in their workplace in Korea, 
many are forced into prostitution and the provision of other sexual 
services. Many are also subject to other forms of labour exploitation, 
including unfulfilled contractual obligations by employers pertaining 
to salary and other working conditions, and numerous human rights 
abuses, including restricting freedom of movement and episodes of 
physical, sexual and psychological abuse by customers and employers. As 
with other women who are trafficked, the circumstances of these women 
in Korea are characterised by extreme insecurity, high levels of 
exploitation, human rights abuses and continued subjugation to 
inequitable relationships based on gender, class and nationality. In 
addition, personal freedoms and social interaction are often severely 
curtailed and risks to personal safety palpable. This presentation 
details the specific circumstances of Filipinas trafficked to American 
military base areas (camp towns) in Korea and the context in which it 
arose and continues. I suggest that the processes and patterns of 
trafficking to Korea are different in many respects from those often 
cited in discussions of trafficking in the Asian region. The departures 
presented by the Korean context point to the need to recognise 
differences as well as commonalities in the nature of trafficking 
throughout the region and the need to draw more fully on a range of 
trafficking sites beyond the traditionally discussed South Asian and 
Mekong sub-region contexts in extending our knowledge of trafficking 
and ability to respond with appropriate actions.

Enquiries:  Alison.Tokita at arts.monash.edu.au