By Lee Kyung-min
Police have booked 30 elderly people ― 15 men and 15 women ― for engaging in soliciting sex at a park near Jongmyo Shrine in central Seoul, a popular resting place for senior citizens.
The park is also where old prostitutes find clients. They are often referred to as “Bacchus ladies” because they sell the energy drinks and sex.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA), the crackdown is based on increasing complaints that the place is turning into a hotbed for the prostitution.
“Recently, we have received an increased number of complaints from shopkeepers in the area regarding prostitution, as well as public drunkenness that often leads to street brawls. All of those are offenses that ruin the city’s reputation,” an SMPA official said.
“We plan to intensify the crackdown to root out problems near the park that compromise the image of the city.”
Alongside the SMPA, the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is also stepping up efforts to improve the image of the park.
The SMG said it plans to hold public events for the elderly more often.