Regarding the Sept. 8 article "Thinly veiled propositions: S. Korea’s ‘juicy bars’ said to be havens for prostitution aimed at U.S. military": I find it very disappointing that very little has been done by either the U.S. or South Korean governments to curb human trafficking in South Korea. These sleazy villes right outside bases like Osan Air Base and Camp Casey are literally running rampant with juicy bars and prostitution.

A lot of lip service is given by U.S. Forces Korea and others about how they’re trying to fix this but, really, what efforts are being done to make more than a small dent in the problem?

I went out to the Osan ville the other night and was appalled by the number of mean-spirited Korean ladies trying to trick me into buying drinks or to "go home" with basically these modern-day slaves from poor countries.

From my personal account there was no attempt by the Korean bar owners to hide anything.

You can’t tell me it’s hard to prove what goes on in these bars. All it takes is a token effort by the leadership of these young soldiers and airmen to recognize what’s really going on. That’s what really bothers me about this: These young men join the military and I’m sure they and their families expect that, in return for their dedication to service, their leaders will take care of them. Well, in this case it isn’t happening, and it’s betrayal on a level that’s probably incomprehensible unless you actually see what’s going on.

This is a serious problem that is plaguing our young military men in South Korea. On one hand, their leadership tells them not to engage in human trafficking; on the other hand, when it’s running rampant right outside their door, the leaders just look the other way. If this isn’t a complete failure and betrayal by leadership, then I don’t know what is.

Master Sgt. Eric Haynes (retired)Osan Air Base, South Korea

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