"Entertainment Business Disaster Relief Fund? It Would Be Better to Abolish the Industry Itself"

Citizens passing in front of a colatech in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul on the 22nd. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] As entertainment establishments affected by the COVID-19 pandemic have been included in the Small Business New Hope Fund, controversy has arisen, with women's organizations strongly opposing the decision.

Lee Ha-young, co-representative of the National Solidarity for the Resolution of Prostitution Issues, stated in an interview on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 24th regarding disaster relief payments to entertainment establishments, "These places exploit women by illegally turning them into sexual commodities," adding, "It is absurd that the government supports such human rights-violating spaces with taxpayers' money when it should be abolishing them."

Lee criticized, "They often conduct illegal operations under the guise of legality," and explained, "They do not simply operate by 'serving alcohol or singing to entertain,' as legally defined. The fact that skinship occurs inside is actually sexual harassment. Considering sexual harassment as part of the job is unacceptable."

She further pointed out, "If the establishments close, the people who lose their place to go are not the women but the customers and the owners," emphasizing, "Women do not earn money the more they work; instead, they end up in debt."

She continued, "Although many say women easily make a lot of money working in entertainment establishments, the reality is quite different," explaining, "The more they work, the deeper in debt they become. The ones who actually make money are the owners."

Regarding some small business owners operating entertainment bars who claimed economic damage due to the assembly ban order, Lee expressed skepticism, saying, "I question whether they truly ceased operations."

She elaborated, "They say they couldn't operate, but according to a recent article, 6 million people used these establishments over three months," adding, "Moreover, Seoul City issued assembly ban orders for 12 industries but lifted the ban only for entertainment establishments on June 15."

In response to some political circles advocating support to encourage cooperation with quarantine measures, she stated, "Saying they will continue to seek cooperation means they intend to maintain the industry," stressing, "Entertainment establishments themselves are outdated relics that should disappear."

She added, "Reflecting public sentiment, the government announced a policy not to support entertainment establishments or room salons," but also noted, "Nevertheless, the National Assembly unilaterally decided to provide support through bipartisan agreement, which needs to be reconsidered."