Paju-si Conducts Year-End Prostitution Out 'Owl Activity' Campaign

From March, a total of 14 Owl Activity Campaigns conducted
Over 1,000 participants... Effective in blocking sex buyers' activities 'Remarkable'

Paju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Kyung-il) announced on the 2nd that it conducted the last "Owl Activity" of the year on the 29th of last month around the red-light district, with the participation of over 50 people including the anti-prostitution civic action group ‘Clearing’, the Autonomous Crime Prevention Union, citizens, and public officials.

Paju City conducted the final "Owl Activity" of the year on the 29th of last month in the vicinity of the red-light district, with the participation of over 50 people including the anti-prostitution citizen action group "Clearing," the Autonomous Crime Prevention Union, citizens, and public officials. Photo by Paju City

‘Clearing’ is an organization formed mainly by the Paju branch of the Gyeonggi-do Women’s Association Council, citizen groups supporting the closure of red-light districts, prostitution prevention education instructors, and parents, established in February to eradicate prostitution, restore the human rights of prostitution victims, guarantee children’s rights to education and housing, and support the closure of red-light districts.

On that day, the campaign was held from 10 p.m. on Friday, when sex buyers most frequently visit, until 3 a.m. the next day at the entrance of the red-light district. Participants held signs such as “Stop Prostitution Now” and “Sex Buying is a Crime” to inform that prostitution is illegal and to block the entry of sex buyers.

Additionally, the Paju Autonomous Crime Prevention Union cooperated by deploying patrol cars at the entrance of the red-light district where the campaign activities took place.

A citizen who participated in this activity said, “Parents raising children all want their kids to grow up in a bright and safe environment,” and added, “I hope many citizens take interest, recognize the seriousness of illegal prostitution, and join together.”

This year, Paju City conducted a total of 14 Owl Activity campaigns starting from March, with about 1,000 citizens participating, which further enhanced the effectiveness of blocking sex buyers.

Paju City will continue the weekly Tuesday “Travel Road (a road where women and citizens are happy)” walking education until December, and plans to strengthen policies to close red-light districts further next year along with citizen participation education and campaign activities.