Adult-themed event canceled in Suwon amid public protests

Members of seven women's organizations, including the Suwon Women's Hotline, hold a press conference on March 12 in front of Suwon Station Culture Plaza, demanding the cancelation of the adult-themed event 2024 KXF The Fashion. Courtesy of Suwon Women's Hotline

An adult-themed event scheduled for April 20 at a private exhibition hall in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, has been canceled following strong opposition from civic groups.

Women's groups and parents have called for the cancellation of the event for allegedly promoting sexual exploitation. However, the controversy hasn't completely subsided as the organizer has secured an alternative venue in another area of Gyeonggi Province.

The Suwon City Government said Wednesday that Suwon Messe, a private exhibition hall located in Seodun-dong, Gwonseon District, had terminated its contract with PlayJoker, the adult content production company behind the 2024 KXF The Fashion Adult Festival.

The city government cited concerns that the event could violate Article 9 of the Act on the Protection of the Educational Environment, which prohibits activities that could harm the educational environment due to their sexual nature.

The planned event's location would have been just 21 meters away from an elementary school, placing it within the protection zone, which would have established it as being harmful to the educational environment.

Despite the cancelation, Playjoker, the organizer, intends to proceed with the event in another region of Gyeonggi Province. The new venue has been secured and will be announced shortly, with plans to operate shuttle buses from a nearby subway station approximately 2 kilometers away to accommodate attendees, according to an official from the organizer.

The company has also signaled its intention to take legal action against Suwon Messe for contract termination and is considering filing complaints against the Suwon government and opposing women's groups for business interference and defamation.

Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-joon said, 'The cancelation of the adult festival's venue rental is a result achieved by the unanimous effort of all citizens. We will also respond thoroughly to any legal disputes."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.