A couple in the U.S. allegedly provided alcohol to South Korean exchange students and molested them under the pretense of playing a game, U.S. media reported.

The Atlanta Journal and other American media said Yi Woo-ki and his wife Yi Hyun-ju, who were running a homestay house on Regal Oaks Drive in the city, were charged with two counts of child molestation and six counts of offering alcohol to minors.

Six exchange students, ages 15 to 18, were given alcohol and pushed to play what is called “King Game,” a penalty-driven booze game in which players, depending on drinking rules, must take their clothes off and kiss other participants.

All the victims were South Korean students who stayed at the house to study in the U.S.

An investigation started after one of the students complained to a school official that they were suffering abuse in the homestay house where they were staying.

The couple, who are now in jail without bond, had been receiving $15,000 every year from each of the victim’s parents for their stay.

The incident sent a shockwave throughout the Korean-American community in Atlanta. In particular, Koreans said the privacy of the victims should have been protected and expressed regret over the revelation of their nationality in the local media.

By Im Woo-jung, Intern reporter
(iwj@heraldcorp.com)