Calculators & Self-ChecksProsecution Request Estimator
Arranging prostitution (running an establishment, etc.): statutory penalty and likely requested sentence
The statutory penalty for Arranging prostitution (running an establishment, etc.) and the likely handling of the case depending on your circumstances. The results are for reference only.
- Statutory penalty
- Arranging: up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 30 million; arranging as a business: up to 7 years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 70 million
- Legal basis
- Act on the Punishment of Arrangement of Commercial Sex Acts, Article 19
- Category
- Sex crimes · Act on the Punishment of Arrangement of Commercial Sex Acts
Calculate with your own circumstances
Leave it at 0 if you were not the owner.
What the handling steps mean
- Detention considered · Detention (구속): being held in custody during the investigation and trial under a court warrant when there is a risk of fleeing or destroying evidence
- Formal trial · Formal trial (구공판): the prosecutor asks the court for a trial, and you stand before a judge in a courtroom
- Summary fine · Summary indictment (약식기소): a procedure in which a fine is set on the documents, without a trial in a courtroom
- Suspension of indictment possible · Suspension of indictment (기소유예): the wrongdoing is recognized, but the prosecutor takes various circumstances into account and closes the case without sending it to trial
- Referral to the Family Court possible · Domestic or juvenile protection case: instead of criminal punishment, the Family Court imposes protective dispositions such as counseling, a no-contact order or community service
Handling standards at a glance
Listed from heaviest to lightest. The actual decision depends on the results of the investigation and your circumstances.
Detention considered
- Likely requested sentence
- 6 months to 1 year 4 months in prison
With 5 or more employees, 1 year or more of operation (or criminal proceeds of KRW 100 million or more), 2 or more prior records of the same type, or while on a suspended sentence for the same crime, detention is the rule.
Formal trial (prison sentence requested)
- Likely requested sentence
- 6 months to 1 year 4 months in prison
Summary fine
- Likely fine
- KRW 3 million or more
Even a first offense of simple arranging may go to a formal trial if there is a risk of repeat offending.
Summary fine
An ordinary employee may be handled with a summary fine.
Notes
- Unless the case is very minor, a fine is requested together with a prison sentence, and money earned from prostitution is confiscated or collected.
- For arranging prostitution abroad, the request is, as a rule, increased by 1/2.
- Detention requires a legal ground such as a risk of fleeing or destroying evidence, so many cases proceed without detention even when they meet this standard.
Frequently asked questions
- Arranging prostitution (running an establishment, etc.): what is the statutory penalty?
- Legal basis: Act on the Punishment of Arrangement of Commercial Sex Acts, Article 19. Statutory penalty: Arranging: up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 30 million; arranging as a business: up to 7 years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 70 million.
- Arranging prostitution (running an establishment, etc.): how is the case usually handled?
- Depending on the circumstances, it may be handled as follows: Detention considered, Formal trial (prison sentence requested), Summary fine. Enter your circumstances in the calculator above to see which one applies.
Other crimes in the same category
This is only an estimate based on how investigative agencies usually handle cases. The actual decision and request depend on the facts of the case, such as a settlement, prior convictions and how the crime happened, and on the judgment of the prosecutor in charge; the final sentence is decided by the court. If you are about to be questioned, do not rely on this result alone and talk to a lawyer first.
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