It’s been six months since the special law punishing prostitution went into effect. The weakening of opposition to the law that rose up when the law first went into effect, including controversy over its effectiveness, and the planting in the mind of the public the understanding that “prostitution is a crime” must be counted as major successes. Red light districts in which there were many violations of human rights, like violence and captivity, have decreased remarkably. There is still a dangerous amount of prostitution, however. We need strict enforcement of the law and support for women who have managed to leave the red light districts.
There were anti-prostitution laws in the past, but they became mere craps of paper and prostitution wasn’t though of as a crime. The special law on prostitution has fundamentally changed this misconception. By strongly punishing forced prostitution or human trafficking for prostitution, the question of prostitution has become one of human rights, and it’s a positive result that prostitutes, formally considered criminals, are now seen as victims. It’s praiseworthy that by punishing all those who purchase sex, the law has prepared a basis for shutting down demand. It’s a law upon which one cannot turn back, something that was needed in order to lift Korea up as a nation that respects human rights.
Even though the law went into effect, in fact, prostitution isn’t dying down. Several new forms of prostitution have appeared, and prostitution through the Internet has been catching fire. As a problem that cannot be eradicated in a day, one needs strong and continued enforcement. One must strictly enforce the law, and prepare grounds to punish those forms of prostitution to which the law doesn’t reach. There is criticism that there are still many instances of arrest warrants against pimps being thrown out, and that punishments are still being handed out only to women, with men receiving only fines of two or three million won.
Support for women who leave prostitution needs to be strengthened, and in the long term, to prevent prostitution, more attention needs to be given to support and education for teenagers entering prostitution.
The Hankyoreh, 23 March 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (MRT)]
[Editorial] Prostitution Law Needs Strict Enforcement |
