The legislation drove thousands of sex workers in traditional red-light zones out of business in South Korea, but prostitution has still thrived in the shadows. The ruling was made in response to a compliant by a female sex worker, who argued people have the right to choose their occupation. A court statement said that the government could deny such individual rights to prevent exploitation and protect moral values. South Korea has always banned prostitution, but the laws were rarely enforced and red-light districts were largely tolerated before They also say that tougher punishment has made sex work more dangerous for women by creating a thriving underground industry in which they sell sex at bars, apartment rooms and through social media and dating apps, which often leaves them more vulnerable to abusive customers and pimps.
Supporters of the laws say decriminalizing prostitution would benefit exploiters more than sex workers. They argue prostitution is inherently violent and exploitative for women, especially in a country like South Korea, where women suffer from one of the harshest inequalities among developed nations and are often economically pressured into prostitution.
Male prostitution and homosexuality largely remain taboo subjects in conservative South Korea and are rarely discussed in public. By San Diego Union-Tribune sandiegouniontribune sduniontribune. Share this: Click to share on Twitter Opens in new window Click to share on Facebook Opens in new window Click to print Opens in new window Click to email a link to a friend Opens in new window Click to share on Reddit Opens in new window.
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