Online versions of South Korea’s maid cafes that offer paid one-on-one phone calls, gaming sessions and other private interactions are raising concerns over weak oversight and the possible involvement of minors, according to local media reports.
Several online maid cafes in South Korea offer private “dates” with employees through phone calls, Instagram and other platforms, with prices ranging from around 6,000 won (RM17) to 10,000 won (RM28) per 10 minutes, according to a report by News1 on Aug 5.
Maid cafes originated mainly in Japan and Taiwan, where employees dressed in maid costumes engage customers in role play, often addressing them as “masters”. They generally do not provide sexual services.
The trend has spread to South Korea in recent years, particularly in areas popular among young people familiar with Japanese pop culture.
A key concern surrounding online maid cafes is that the businesses are difficult for the local authorities to monitor and may involve underage employees or customers.
News1 said it confirmed at least one underage customer and found conversations suggesting that some employees were students.
One maid cafe reportedly declined to say whether it employed minors, saying that “nothing good could come from revealing employees’ ages”.
Following this, the Gender Equality and Family Ministry has asked the Food and Drug Safety Ministry to review how maid cafes are classified under food sanitation regulations.
Many are currently registered as general restaurants.
The ministry is reportedly considering whether establishments that employ workers to entertain customers should instead be treated as entertainment bars. — The Herald Korea/ANN
