Adult-themed event near elementary school faces opposition

Members of Suwon Women's Network, comprised of seven women's groups, hold a press conference in front of Suwon Station Cultural Plaza, March 12, urging the cancellation of the adult festival "2024 K-XF The Fashion." Yonhap

A controversial adult-themed event scheduled to be held in Suwon next month is drawing strong opposition, especially due to its proximity to an elementary school that is just 50 meters away.

The upcoming "2024 K-XF The Fashion " is scheduled to be held April 20-21 at Suwon Messe in Gwonseon District of Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, and is expected to attract around 10,000 visitors, according to organizers.

The event will feature guest appearances from popular Japanese adult film actresses, lingerie fashion shows, and more, marking a significant increase from its predecessor in Gwangmyeong City, Gyeonggi Province, last December.

Organizers defend the event's legality and the importance of open discussions on sex in society. After reviewing relevant laws, Suwon City officials found no legal basis to prohibit the event but have requested ID checks to prevent minors from entering and informed local schools.

However, the Suwon Women's Hotline and other civic groups have denounced the festival as a blatant objectification and commodification of women.

Amid strong opposition from women's groups decrying the event as promoting sexual exploitation, a petition demanding the event's cancellation was recently posted on the National Assembly's public agreement petition site.

A petitioner claiming to be a citizen of Suwon expressed shock on March 21 at the event's content. "I am angry that an event akin to sex trade is being held in the heart of the city. An event no different from the sex trade is taking place just 50 meters away from an elementary school," the petitioner said.

He requested the education authorities to take decisive actions based on Article 10 of the School Environment Protection Act, which prohibits any activities or the installation of facilities within the school environment protection zones that may harm students' health, safety, learning or educational environment.

The venue is located approximately 50m away from an elementary school in Suwon, separated only by a road. As of this morning, the petition has garnered the support of more than 5,000 people.

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