SOUTH KOREA: Sex workers stage a protest to denounce laws making prostitution illegal

Record ID: 213949

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA: Sex workers stage a protest to denounce laws making prostitution illegal
  • Date: 23rd September 2011
  • Summary: SLATE INFORMATION
  • Embargoed: 8th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Korea, Republic of
  • Country: South Korea
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA2LBQPZLT9S2KNGO8F2R4JG0ZI
  • Story Text: Some 2,000 sex workers staged a protest in Seoul on Thursday (September 22) to denounce laws making prostitution illegal.
    The crowd, made up mostly of prostitutes and pimps, kept their faces covered while chanting slogans demanding the government withdraw the laws against them.
    "It's been seven years since the anti-prostitution laws were enforced, but there has been no effectiveness of the laws. Due to the laws, more than 200,000 men have gained criminal records. Also, so many of sex workers also have become ex-cons," said 30-year-old prostitute Jang Joo-eun.
    The sex workers insisted the laws have not abolished the trade.
    "After the anti-prostitution laws were enforced, prostitution is taking place secretly. I think the laws should be revised," said 56-year-old pimp Hong Seong-ryeol.
    After the rally, small groups of prostitutes delivered letters to the Presidential Office and Ministry of Gender Equality demanding the government withdraw the laws.
    In 2004, the government passed anti-prostitution laws, making the industry illegal.
    South Korea's usually bustling brothel districts fell silent in 2004 when police enforced the laws, but it has prevailed in some parts of the city.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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