(top) The uncharacteristically dark road, (bottom) This is but one of many 유흥주점 closed that was closed on Saturday. In fact all were closed.
In other news related to the ubiquity of the sex industry here, South Korea spent roughly 14 trillion won (USD 12.3 billion) on prostitutes in 2007. That's 56% the South Korea's defense budget for 2008.
I was in Daein-dong for purely entertainment and investigative purposes, I swear. Wait, that doesn't sound right. It was because Girlfriend in Jeollanam-do wanted to have a look around, and being a responsible blogger I took a few pictures. In the Chungjangno area, a few blocks away, things were also unusually quiet Saturday night and there were cops everywhere. Anybody know what that was about?
5 comments:
Not uncommon for the owners of these places to get a little heads up from the police about a "crackdown." They shut down for a week or so and then the little citizen's anti-prostitution movement comes to an end. They then proceed to open up for brisk trade once more. Happens every few months in Daein Dong.
I used to walk through that neighborhood every morning last year on my way to work. It was not unusual to be asked, in English, "do you wan't sex?" at seven in the morning.
Still hungover from last weekends Chuseok festivities perhaps?
At least they asked an easy question.
The Speakeasy was PACKED Saturday night. Good times were had by all I am sure.
When I returned to Korea for my second contract in Gwangju, 2004 I was put in a love motel down the street (less than 100 metres) from that area as the teacher I was replacing hadn't left yet and it was nearby the school. The 2004 prostitution crackdown was coinciding my one and a half week stay in the love motel. Yet, that neighbourhood seemed to be doing a roaring trade regardless. I was the only person who actually stayed overnight at that hotel. It was a colourful return to Korea, and I sure was glad when my apartment was vacant so I could leave.
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