Wonju City Pressures Building Owners and Tenants to Close Red-Light District 'Huimaechon'

Joint Inspections by Police and Fire Stations Every Thursday Starting the 28th
"Providing Venues for Prostitution Is Also Illegal and Punishable"…Aimed at Raising Awareness Among Building Owners and Tenants

Wonju City, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Mayor Won Gang-su) has begun pressuring building owners and tenants to close the so-called 'Huimaechon,' the only remaining red-light district in Gangwon Province.

On October 15, police officers from the Wonju Police Station and the Gangwon Police Agency conducted a joint crackdown in Hakseong-dong, Wonju City, known as 'Huimaechon,' the only remaining red-light district in Gangwon Province. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 28th, Wonju City announced that starting from the 28th, joint inspections by sector?including architecture and fire safety?will be conducted every Thursday to assess the usage status of suspected prostitution establishments in Hakseong-dong’s ‘Huimaechon’ area.

A total of about 10 personnel from three organizations?Wonju City (Women and Family Division, Architecture Division), Wonju Police Station (Crime Prevention Response Division), and Wonju Fire Station (Prevention Safety Division)?will participate, focusing on inspecting illegal activities related to the buildings and facilities of suspected prostitution establishments.

Previously, to completely block access by sex buyers, since November 1st, Wonju City has been conducting joint patrols with the police five nights a week during nighttime hours (8 PM to 10 PM) around the Huimaechon area. In addition to blocking sex buyers, this joint inspection aims to make building owners and tenants of suspected prostitution establishments aware that facilitating or providing locations for prostitution is illegal, and if there is illegal use of facilities, administrative actions will be taken.

Mayor Won Gang-su of Wonju City stated, “We will do our best to eradicate prostitution and mediation activities through continuous joint inspections of establishments suspected of prostitution,” adding, “We will strengthen Wonju City’s role in closing the red-light district and also focus on supporting the self-reliance of women leaving prostitution.”