Paju City Opens "Gender Equality Paju" Exhibition Hall in Red-Light District

Kim Kyungil: "Will Play a Key Role in Closing the Red-Light District"

Paju City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Kyungil) has purchased and newly renovated a building in the Yeonpung-ri red-light district, transforming it into an anti-prostitution education space named "Gender Equality Paju," which was unveiled to the public for the first time.

Kim Kyungil, mayor of Paju City, is giving a greeting speech at the opening ceremony of an anti-prostitution education space named "Gender Equality Paju," which was newly renovated after purchasing a building of a business in the Yeonpung-ri red-light district on the 22nd. Provided by Paju City

The opening ceremony, held on the 22nd, was a great success, attended and celebrated by Lee Ikseon, Vice Chairman of the Paju City Council, major leaders of social organizations, and about 100 citizens.

The launch of "Gender Equality Paju," which has returned a space where illegal prostitution persisted for decades and where the human rights of many women were violated back to the citizens, is expected to be recorded as a symbolic first step toward achieving the closure of the red-light district within this year.

This space will be used in the future for various purposes, including exhibitions of art works, displays of anti-prostitution items, operation of anti-prostitution education programs for citizens, and as a community space for local residents.

The opening ceremony began with a pre-event performance by the Paju City Arts Troupe, followed by commendations for contributors to the spread of anti-prostitution culture, a calligraphy seal ceremony, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. In addition, exhibitions of calligraphy works and city landscape paintings reflecting citizens' aspirations for the future will be held regularly, with citizens at the center of closing the red-light district. The venue is expected to serve as a hub for spreading the awareness that the power of citizens is the most important factor in the closure of the red-light district.

Kim Kyungil, Mayor of Paju City, stated, "The opening of 'Gender Equality Paju' is not simply a change of space, but a starting point for transforming it into a space for citizens," adding, "We will do our utmost, together with the citizens, to ensure the closure of the red-light district this year and to return it to the community."