Changwon Seoseong-dong Red-Light District Begins Transformation into Cultural Park

Sex Trade Hub in Seoseong-dong, Changwon [Photo by Changwon City]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] Changwon City in Gyeongnam has officially begun the process of transforming the red-light district that has been established in Seoseong-dong for 116 years.

Masan Happo-gu, Changwon City, announced on the 9th that it started demolition work earlier this month on five single-story buildings within the red-light district.

The demolition targets included 43 rooms that were once operated as the largest single establishment in the red-light district. The establishment was not in operation at the time of the demolition decision.

This demolition work is the first visible achievement in response to years of demands from civic groups and others for the closure of the red-light district.

Masan Happo-gu completed compensation and administrative procedures for the land and buildings in May. The site will be developed into a temporary public parking lot with an area of 1,322㎡ and 53 parking spaces.

The purpose is to improve the environment of the red-light district. Masan Happo-gu plans to complete the demolition within this month and finish site cleanup and parking lot construction by around January next year.

In the future, if Changwon City completes a cultural park plan for the entire red-light district site, the temporary parking lot may be repurposed for other uses.

Kim Young-cheol, head of Masan Happo-gu Office, said, "The demolition of the largest establishment and the creation of the parking lot are expected to serve as a catalyst for the closure of the Seoseong-dong red-light district."

The Seoseong-dong red-light district, known to have emerged after the opening of Masan Port in 1905, currently has about 11 establishments and around 50 workers remaining.

Changwon City plans to develop the red-light district into a cultural park and will soon proceed with procedures such as park zone designation, development plan establishment, and detailed design. The development plan is expected to be completed by around September next year, followed by compensation and additional demolition measures.