84.5% Public Support for Closing Sex Trade Districts
Significant Increase in Approval Compared to Last Year
City Will Definitely Close Sex Trade Districts
Gyeonggi Paju City (Mayor Kim Kyung-il) announced on the 10th that, according to a recent public opinion survey conducted as part of a research project to transform the red-light district into a women-friendly space, the percentage of respondents supporting the closure of the red-light district has significantly increased from 62.5% in 2023 to 84.5% this year.
This public opinion survey was conducted by Korea Research from November 1 to 10, targeting 524 Paju citizens. Notably, 92.3% of women living in the northern residential area where the red-light district is located supported the closure, demonstrating the negative impact the red-light district has had on local residents.
The survey results show a 22 percentage point increase compared to the 62.5% approval rate in the "Paju City Policy Issue Public Opinion Survey" conducted in May 2023, indicating overwhelming support from Paju citizens for the closure of the red-light district.
Since July, Paju City has been promoting the "Women-Friendly Space Creation Research Project" to prevent depopulation and slum formation after the closure of the red-light district and to transform the area into a women-friendly space.
In this regard, a mid-term report meeting and a residents' briefing session were held in November to gather opinions from local residents. A parent from School A near the red-light district who attended the briefing said, "It is unfortunate that children cannot walk safely because the red-light district is nearby," and added, "I hope this research will lead to the creation of jobs for local residents and spaces that all citizens can visit."
Mayor Kim Kyung-il showed strong determination by approving the red-light district maintenance project as the first agenda item last year. Since then, Paju City has made various efforts, including implementing ordinances to support the self-reliance of victims of prostitution, conducting prostitution eradication education, organizing walking programs within the red-light district, and nighttime activities to block clients. Through these efforts, a public consensus on the violation of women's human rights caused by prostitution and the harms of prostitution has been formed, and public support for the closure of the red-light district has rapidly increased.
Additionally, as a result of physical measures such as administrative enforcement against illegal buildings and police crackdowns, the number of businesses in the red-light district has been reduced to less than half, with about 80 establishments and 200 victims of prostitution remaining, achieving tangible results.
Based on the results of this public opinion survey, Paju City plans to further strengthen its policy stance. The establishments purchased in March this year will be used as joint base facilities and training centers by Paju City and the police station to expand citizen participation. Even after the closure of the red-light district, the city will promote sustainable environmental maintenance, victim support, and campaigns to foster an anti-prostitution culture.
Mayor Kim Kyung-il stated, "The results of this public opinion survey clearly show that the closure of the red-light district reflects the will of Paju citizens," and added, "Since the support of Paju citizens for the closure is firm, we will close the red-light district as a historical mission."
Paju City has received strong public response, with 3,203 participants in 53 walking programs along travel routes and 2,016 participants in 25 Owl activities this year. The city plans to conclude this year's last walking program on the 17th.
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