Country split over plan to support former sex workers

By Kim Hyun-bin

A controversy has erupted over a local government's recent proposal to give over 20 million won ($18 ,000) per sex worker to help them adapt to society.

This is part of the local government's efforts to eradicate prostitution, while helping sex workers sustain their livelihoods without providing illegal services. However, many are against using taxpayers' money to do so.

Michuhol-gu in Incheon will today proclaim enforcement regulations for its ordinance that aims to create a fund for prostitutes in the district.

A sex worker needs to submit a written promise not to engage in prostitution and a self-support plan to the local government to be eligible to receive 1 million won in living expenses and 300,000 won for vocational training per month, as well as a one-time 7 million won for housing. The government plans to provide a maximum of 22.6 million won for one year.

Most of the recipients are expected to be from the region's last remaining red-light district called “Yellow House” in Sungui-dong where prostitution was prevalent up through the late 1990s.

This area was bustling with prostitution establishments through the late 1990s, but declined quickly after the government passed a prostitution ban in 2004. A few establishments have remained but will soon be abolished to make way for construction of a new apartment complex.

“We are not just abolishing prostitution entities but also helping sex workers adapt to society,” a Michuhol-gu official said. “If a sex worker receives government support but continues to do sex work we will confiscate the support fund.”

Feminist groups have welcomed the proposal by the local government.

“Sex workers in Sungui-dong were worried about their livelihoods due to the planned construction in their area and it would be hard for them to return to society without the help of the central or local government,” said Chung Mi-lae, head of the National Solidarity against Sexual Exploitation of Women. “The support fund will give them a chance to be self-sustaining.”

The local government says by removing the prostitution establishments, it will enhance the residential environment, claiming the support fund and the policy will benefit not only sex workers but also the community.

On the other hand, many people are voicing their opposition toward the policy as it will be funded by taxes.

Scores of petitions have been posted on Cheong Wa Dae's website voicing outrage against the plan.

“There are women who were inevitably forced into sex work, but not all people choose to sell themselves because they are having a difficult time,” a petitioner wrote. “The government does not properly crack down on sex trafficking but wants to use hundreds of millions of won in supporting prostitutes to adapt to society. It's unreal.”

Another petitioner said, “All the students who are working part-time jobs to earn their college tuition and living expenses are not working hard because they aren't aware of the easy way to make money. Setting aside a budget for supporting youth has also stirred controversy, but a budget to help sex workers just makes no sense.”

The controversy is expected to spread throughout the nation as several major cities including Daegu, Gwangju and Jeonju are seeking to follow suit.