The Asian financial crisis and the war on terrorism has had serious implications for the security of women in Asia. Immigration and security policies reflect only the state's concerns with law and order, and ignore the rights and dignity of the victims of trafficking and smuggling.

Trafficking is a very serious case of human insecurity caused by multiple discrimination experienced by minority women and children in Asia and elsewhere .

The situation is further exacerbated by poverty caused by the neo-liberal global market, especially in the service industry that today has a female face. Women from poorer, developing countries are exploited in the sex market of rich countries.

There is a very close relationship between sex trade and militarisation. In Korea, the ties began during the Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945) and continued through the US military bases, which were there to protect but not to practise democracy.