I remember when I first picked it up. I was walking with a friend of mine, the ground strewn with many other cards just like it. She gave me a look. I had to explain myself. And here I am. The Korean sex industry is huge, and it seems that everybody is aware of it. There are many websites and reports that say as much. There are so many forms of prostitution in Korea, too. I know about five or so different prostitution services that are offered in Korea, just off the top of my head.
From kissing rooms to simply finding prostitutes on the street corner, clearly, business is booming. While everybody knows about the rampant and illegal prostitution in Korea, not much is done about it, though. I am sure a good number of places have a deal with local law enforcement. My own personal philosophy is that the government stifles access to pornographic websites to flow money into the thriving sex industry and therefore, collect more money through their illicit dealings.
While only a theory, it would lend a better explanation as to why police stations are sometimes right down the road from an illegal establishment. Indeed, I even know quite a lot about the prostitution in Korea myself. From where to find prostitutes to how much they cost, Koreans and foreigners alike have both given me information on them. I even went around with a friend of mine once to different establishments while he scoped out prices.
Some places had been firmly in business for a long time, with signs even labeling them as massage parlors. Although that, in and of itself, is not illegal, everybody knows what these massage parlors are. The first thing most foreigners find out about prostitution, though, is about the red white and blue barber shop poles:. The rule I originally learned for barber shop poles goes like this: if you see one barber shop pole, you have come across a legitimate business.
On the other hand, if you see two barber shop poles next to each other, you have come across an illegitimate business. After some time in Korea, I kept hearing conflicting stories. Today, all I know is a barber shop pole usually means they will offer some form of sexual service for those willing to pay. I just found this card in my Korean things the other day: Front and back.
