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Number of brothels reduced in Korea
March 18, 2005
The National Police Agency said yesterday that the number of brothels and
prostitutes in red light districts has declined by 36 percent and 51 percent,
respectively, since the anti-sex-trade law took effect in September.
The number of prostitution houses dropped from 1,679 in late September to 1,071
on March 15, according to the police. The number of prostitutes decreased from
5,567 to 2,736 during the same period. The police said the numbers have never
decreased this much before.
"The new law enforces strict punishment of sex clients, discouraging them to go
to brothels after drinking parties," said NPA officiall Jang Il-young.
The sex-trade law aims to crack down on prostitution and human trafficking by
harshly punishing buyers and sellers of sex. Pimps may face up to 7 years in
prison or 70 million won in fines. Sex buyers may be sentenced to 1 year or pay
fines of up to 3 million won.
Police said they caught 9,142 people who were involved in the sex trade and
arrested 585 since the new sex-trade law was enforced on Sept. 23. During the
corresponding period from 2003 to 2004, 5,926 people were caught.
In red-light districts, police officials seized a total of 863 brothel
operators, sex buyers and prostitutes, taking 19 of them into custody.
An emergency call center for troubled prostitutes was set up in September,
having dealt with 1,272 cases, most of which are related to forced
prostitution. Police said 223 women were rescued from brothel owners and have
received job counseling.
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