By Lee Kyung-min
Police confiscated five buildings used for prostitution in a farming village in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, in accordance with a court injunction on Nov. 14.
The measure follows residents’ protests.
According to the law, the government can confiscate any property or profit garnered from prostitution.
The court’s decision comes after a September raid in which police arrested about 20 people suspected of having engaged in prostitution there.
Police said the seized buildings had been masquerading as guest houses, which the owner was given permission to build.
“The places were supposed to be guest houses, but prostitutes worked inside,” a police officer said.
The arrested owner, identified only by the surname Kim, admitted the premises had been built to be used as a brothel, according to the police.
Chuncheon Women’s Rights Community Chairwoman Kwon Hyuk-hee welcomed the decision.
“We were so upset about the buildings there,” she said. “They have harmed our neighborhood. I think places like these should be absolutely banned for good.”
With Samjeong Elementary School only 300 meter away, residents, especially parents, abhorred the brothel.
“I heard a mother complaining that her nine–year-old daughter pointed to a woman inside and asked who she was and what she was doing there. What could a mother have said?” Kwon said.
Last December, a brothel called Nanchochon, which had about 20 sex workers, was shut down. The owner then reportedly set up the newly seized buildings to continue the sex trade.