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Korean sex workers call for licensing prostitution
Ocotber 19, 2004
Calling for the introduction of licensed prostitution, prostitutes and brothel
owners launched their biggest rally yet since enforcement of laws prohibiting
the sex trade was stepped up last month. The workers, who numbered about 3,000
at the rally, said they need employment security.
"We have to accept prostitution as an occupation," argued brothel owner Goh
Gun-ryu at the rally yesterday in the plaza beside Cheongnyangni Station in
northern Seoul.
"How can Korea remove red-light districts that blatantly exist all over the
world? What is wrong with prostitution?" Goh asked. "Prostitutes do not do any
harm to others like robbers do."
The station plaza, close to a famous red district, was filled with prostitutes
and brothel owners from across the nation, and curious spectators.
The sex workers wore big white masks and sunglasses, and beat out a rhythm with
yellow sticks.
Businessman and retired soldier Kim Min-soo, 46, who passed the rally, said he
supported the workers. Prostitution is needed to boost the spirit of young
soldiers who are sexually energetic, he said.
"Recently I've met people in the army, and they told me that soldiers who
return from leave look depressed because they couldn't follow their custom of
visiting red-light districts," he said.
He said the business also is needed to satisfy the increasing number of single
men in Korea due to the high divorce rate.
"The three basic human instincts are eating, sleeping, and sexual desires. To
block meeting these basic needs is like violating one's human rights," he
argued.
The attendants at the rally also criticized the government for offering few
alternatives for the people who are involved in the sex trade.
A woman from Busan, who gave her last name as Kim, said, "I started selling sex
at 23 to support my family, and haven't skipped a working day for 22 years. Now
I don't have any knowledge to transfer to another job. What can I do?"
Choi Seon-young, 27 whose mother cooked for prostitutes, said the government
was hasty in curbing the sex trade with little advance notification.
"Before the law took effect, the media talked about the new law, but we didn't
think it would really be enforced because policemen were still being bribed by
the brothels on every national holiday," Choi said.
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U.S.
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10-18-2004
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10-7-2004
New
anti-prostitution measure causes stir
10-4-2004
Anti-prostitution
laws draw more protests
10-1-2004
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S.
Korea in new anti-prostitution drive
9-23-2004
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