Changwon City Faces Controversy Over Housing and Living Expense Support for Women from 'Closed Red-Light District'

Changwon City Supports LH Rental Housing Up to 7 Million KRW for 4 Years
Living Expenses Also 1 Million KRW per Month... 'Self-Sufficiency Measures' vs 'Ethical Concerns'

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[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Changwon City in Gyeongnam Province is promoting a self-support policy that provides livelihood maintenance expenses along with LH public rental housing to women who have left the sex trade following the closure of the Seoseong-dong red-light district, sparking conflicting public opinions in the region.

While the policy is praised as a good initiative for helping women who have been victims of sex trafficking achieve independence and housing stability, there are also significant criticisms that it cannot serve as a fundamental solution to eradicate illegal prostitution.

Women’s organizations and others agree with the purpose of eradicating prostitution but emphasize the need to present concrete plans for the closure of the Seoseong-dong sex trade district and the establishment of a neighborhood park to prove the effectiveness of the project.

According to Changwon City on the 23rd, which signed a business agreement with the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters, the city plans to support women leaving prostitution in Seoseong-dong with purchased rental housing for up to four years. LH will purchase multi-family housing, renovate it, and provide housing support funds up to 7 million KRW.

The agreement signed on the 1st includes not only housing costs but also monthly livelihood support of 1 million KRW, assistance with vocational training, and the implementation of structural support projects (medical, legal support, and other counseling), drawing attention.

Citizens of Changwon are posting their opinions about the support project for prostitution exit on the Changwon city website.

However, following this news, critical posts have flooded online communities, including the Changwon City website and various social media platforms. Critics argue that focusing solely on housing and livelihood support without concentrating on establishing institutional and environmental foundations to improve the independence of women leaving prostitution cannot be a measure to eradicate prostitution.

An office worker, Mr. Kang, said, "Even if they leave prostitution, there might be cases of re-entry. Education programs that enable women leaving prostitution to become independent in society should come first. Providing housing and living expenses blindly might rather reduce their independence."

On the other hand, some believe it will help prevent re-entry of women into prostitution. A representative of a women’s organization, who requested anonymity, said, "It seems to help women leaving prostitution who wanted to live a new life but faced practical difficulties."

Changwon City stated that with the closure of the Seoseong-dong sex trade district, the local government intends to guarantee the human rights of socially vulnerable women involved in prostitution and work to improve their independence.

A city official said in a phone interview, "Since the local government made the decision to close the red-light district, it is necessary to take responsibility for supporting socially vulnerable women leaving prostitution. The housing leased from LH is not provided 'free of charge' or 'permanently.' Vocational training will also be provided to help women become independent."

While the intention to help women leaving prostitution and eradicate illegal prostitution is positive, experts diagnose that since this is a project following the closure of the Seoseong-dong district, it must prove its effectiveness rather than being a mere 'showcase.'

Park Seonae, a Changwon City Council member and former women's rights activist, empathized with the need to provide housing, saying, "Currently, about 80 women are engaged in prostitution activities in Seoseong-dong, Changwon, and most of them have less than a high school education, making it difficult for them to easily integrate into society."

She added, "Changwon City should firmly clarify the specific direction for establishing a neighborhood park in the Seoseong-dong sex trade district and prove that this is an effective project to gain citizens’ support."