Rally against anti-prostitution laws

HUNDREDS of prostitutes and their pimps protested on the streets of Chuncheon in South Korea yesterday, seeking a reversal on new anti-prostitution laws which they argue will damage their livelihoods.

Yesterday’s protest follows a similar recent protest in a red-light district in Seoul to protest against a police crackdown on brothels.

In each case, a crowd of about 400 people, mostly women wearing baseball caps, masks and sunglasses, gathered in the streets and chanted slogans like “Guarantee the right to live!” at the rally.

Prostitution is illegal in South Korea but is widespread despite government crackdowns.

The rallies come weeks after officials began stationing police cars near brothels in a bid to drive away people looking to pay for sex.

The sex workers accuse a nearby department store of pushing police to take such measures. Police deny the claim.