Vice Squad
Friday, October 01, 2004
Prostitutes Protest in South Korea
Last Friday Vice Squad noted a crackdown on commercial sex in South Korea. The crackdown, ostensibly aimed at helping prostitutes who might be victimized by traffickers or pimps, consists of greatly increasing the penalties imposed upon customers of prostitutes. Many of the intended beneficiaries are not pleased by the ramped-up paternalism: "In Incheon, 300 prostitutes tried yesterday to confront government officials, demonstrating in a two-hour protest in front of the Incheon City Hall. Women from red-light districts in Seoul and Gyeonggi province gathered to protest a new law being enforced to curb the sex trade, complaining that their ability to make a living is at risk."
Labels: Korea, prostitution