Flushing, NY, United States
Wun and Kyongja Kang promised victims from Seoul a better life in the U.S. and work in their bar “Renaissance Bar & Room Café” in Flushing. The women were told they would have respectable jobs keeping customers company at the bar and pouring drinks. After arrival, the victims were told they each owed Kang a $10,000 smuggling debt and for their rent. The victims were never paid for their work, and their passports were taken. The victims were told they could work of their debt faster if they preformed sex acts for customers. When they tried to escape they were caught and sexually assaulted.
Location
United States · Flushing, NY · 2008 (location generalized to protect survivors)
Response & intervention
Wun and Kyongja Kan were arrested in January 2004. Wun and Kyongya Kang were sentenced to 120 and 121 months in prison, respectively. Hyun Goo Kan was also arrested for obstruction of justice, kidnapping, peonage, and sexual abuse. Nisim Yushuvayev, a former agent with the Department of Homeland Security, was also charged related to the case for attempting to deport a South Korean woman who was set to testify against the Kangs. He was sentenced to 120 months in prison.
Police involvement.
unknown.
Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don't have a verifiable source on file yet — use “Report a problem” below to add one.