Korean restaurant owner in Vietnam jailed over secret prostitution operation using colored wristbands

A Ho Chi Minh City court has handed down a prison sentence to a South Korean national for orchestrating an elaborate illegal operation behind the facade of a local business. On January 27, 2026, the municipal People’s Court sentenced 45-year-old Hwang Chang Nam to five years in prison for procuring prostitution. His primary associate, Jung Jong Pil, received a four-year term, while three additional accomplices were sentenced to periods ranging from three to three and a half years.

The investigation revealed that Hwang, who had lived in Vietnam since 2003, took over a karaoke bar on Nguyen Thai Binh Street in July 2023. Under his management, the establishment allegedly evolved into a specialized hub for illegal services tailored predominantly toward a South Korean clientele. To manage the illicit side of the business, the venue implemented a color-coded identification system. Female employees willing to participate in prostitution were issued red wristbands at the reception desk, and their names were officially logged on an internal roster to streamline selections for customers.

The scale of the operation was significant, with police identifying nearly 200 young women recruited to participate in various illegal activities, including organized nude dancing and off-site services. Management utilized social media to market these services and directly communicate with potential clients. To maintain an air of exclusivity and discretion, customers were often transported in luxury vehicles from the restaurant to various hotels or high-end apartments across the city.

The network was dismantled following a coordinated police raid in the early hours of December 30, 2023. Authorities conducted simultaneous inspections at a hotel in District 1 and an apartment complex in District 7, where they discovered several couples involved in illegal acts. These individuals were subsequently confirmed to be employees of Hwang’s karaoke bar, providing the necessary evidence to link the venues to the broader criminal enterprise.

During the legal proceedings, Hwang and his co-defendants confessed to their roles in the operation. In his defense, Hwang argued that he possessed an inadequate understanding of Vietnamese statutes and claimed that he did not generate direct profit from the prostitution itself. Instead, he maintained that the illegal services were intended merely as an incentive to attract high-paying customers to his primary entertainment and dining venue.