[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Park Hyun-joo] A petition to the Blue House has been posted requesting the shutdown of a real doll (sex toy resembling the human body) experience room located on a street frequented by children and adolescents. The petitioner criticized that real dolls could foster distorted perceptions of sexuality among students.
On the 31st of last month, a post titled "Please stop the operation of the real doll experience room in Uijeongbu City" was uploaded to the Blue House petition board. As of 8:35 AM on the 2nd, the petition had gained 7,816 supporters.
The petitioner stated, "A few days ago, I heard that a 24-hour unmanned real doll experience center was opening in the middle of a commercial district in Uijeongbu City, Gyeonggi Province," and pointed out, "It is a commercial area surrounded by many apartment complexes where numerous children and adolescents pass by." They expressed concern, adding, "Just searching the three syllables 'real doll' on the internet shows it as an inappropriate term for youth."
They further criticized, "I looked into whether this business can legally operate, and according to the current Act on the Protection of Educational Environment (Education Environment Protection Act), business is only restricted within 200 meters of school facilities. The current law defines school zones as within a 300-meter radius from the main gate, but harmful businesses like this are regulated only within 200 meters," and appealed, "The city says there is no basis for crackdown because there are no educational facilities within 200 meters."
A citizen posted a petition requesting the closure of a real doll experience center in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board capture
The petitioner also expressed concerns about distorted perceptions of sexuality caused by the real doll experience room. They questioned, "Should a child who has just learned to read Hangul have to read the words 'real doll experience room' on the sign? Is it acceptable for irresponsible adults to relieve sexual desires on a 135 cm doll the size of a child without any guilt or hesitation?"
They continued, "I am afraid of when and how the wrong perception of sexuality, relieved through dolls, will be directed toward people," and demanded, "Please make sure such businesses can no longer take root in South Korea."
According to Uijeongbu City on the same day, the city has requested the removal of the sign attached to the wall of the real doll experience room under the 'Act on the Management of Outdoor Advertisements and the Promotion of Outdoor Advertising Industry.'
Meanwhile, educational environment protection zones, under the Education Environment Protection Act, restrict the operation of certain facilities deemed harmful to the educational environment, such as those emitting pollutants or engaging in gambling activities, within 200 meters of school boundaries or planned school sites. Real doll experience rooms fall under this category. However, if they are located about 400 to 500 meters away from schools, they are not considered illegal. Students passing through these areas can be seen as being exposed without protection.
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