Paju City Takes Administrative Action Against 20 Prostitution Establishments for Building Act Violations... "All-Out Effort to Shut Down Prostitution Zone"

Paju City Discovers Unauthorized Conversion of Residences into Entertainment Facilities
Administrative Action Taken Against Over 20 Businesses for Violating the Building Act

Paju City in Gyeonggi Province announced on July 11 that it had discovered some buildings within the Yeonpung-ri prostitution zone in Paju-eup, which had received approval for residential use, were actually being operated as entertainment facilities for prostitution. On July 7, the city initiated administrative procedures against about 20 such businesses for violations related to changes in building usage.

Paju City initiated administrative procedures on the 7th against about 20 businesses for violations related to changes in building usage. Provided by Paju City

The city explained that the buildings subject to the administrative action this time were in violation of Article 19 of the Building Act regarding changes in building usage. According to the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act, business establishments where entry and employment of minors are prohibited, such as prostitution establishments, are classified as "entertainment facilities," which are clearly distinguished from general single-family residences. Therefore, operating a prostitution business in a building approved for residential use constitutes a clear legal violation.

Accordingly, the city has notified the relevant building owners of the administrative action for unauthorized changes in building usage and plans to take strong administrative measures, including repeated imposition of enforcement fines, if prostitution operations continue.

Although some building owners are expected to object and file complaints as a result of this measure, the city plans to respond firmly by appointing legal counsel and securing objective evidence such as records of business operations.

Until recently, the city had responded to illegal extensions of prostitution establishments only through administrative execution and the imposition of enforcement fines. However, with this administrative action against illegal changes in building usage, the city has decided to further strengthen its administrative sanctions.

A Paju City official stated, "This measure is part of a comprehensive effort to rectify illegal buildings within the prostitution zone," adding, "We will mobilize all administrative means, including administrative execution, imposition of enforcement fines, and actions for unauthorized changes in building usage, to completely shut down the prostitution zone."