Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Benicio]

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/12/25/korea.prostitutes.reut/index.html

S.Korea: See movie, not prostitute
POSTED: 0334 GMT (1134 HKT), December 25, 2006

SEOUL, Korea (Reuters) -- The South Korean government is handing out gifts for office workers who promise not to visit brothels this holiday season.

"If you promise yourself to make it a healthy night out at the end of the year, and if you recommend this to others, we are giving lots of prizes," the Ministry of Gender Equality said in an Internet posting.

The ministry is offering to pay companies whose employees pledge not to buy sex after what are typically alcohol-soaked, year-end parties.

A ministry spokesman confirmed the campaign but declined to answer questions about it.

But a ministry official told the Korea Times daily: "Korean corporate culture that includes heavy drinking is also what makes buying sex acceptable as a way for male-bonding, which is proving to be a hard-to-break ritual."

The ministry is offering movie tickets based on the number of employees who pledge not to visit prostitutes as well as a cash prize of 1 million won ($1,077) for the company which enlists the most employees in the campaign.

Many South Koreans were bewildered by the plan, saying it was a waste of money and gave the impression that South Korean men cannot keep away from brothels.

"Do they really think men buy sex every time they have a dinner party?" wrote one Korean on a comment page of the South Korea's largest daily Chosun Ilbo.

[jennateacher]

I promise not to buy sex, where are my tickets?

[Smee]

same same
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=74377

[Junior]

"prostitution is illegal in south korea.
Foreigners are immoral out to corrupt our women."

Hahahahaha

[wylies99]

Yep. FUNNY because it's TRUE.

[mithridates]

That's a nice way to get the word out that Korea isn't the conservative place some pretend it is. Better than an article on "Korea isn't that conservative a country" - this one makes the point and shows it in practice.

[ChuckECheese]

That is the most funniest "*beep*" I have ever heard coming from the K-government.

K-government is actually promoting prostitution by offering tax money for that very purpose. I wonder who came up with that brilliant idea.


K-men can take the prostitutes out for movies on government's expense before they get it on.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

[bellum99]

Let's watch them try to delude themselves this time. I love the Korean skill of seeing the obvious but stating the opposite.

[JeJuJitsu]

It's gotta be a sad sad life (society) when it doesn't even occur to the typical male to go out and meet a women that isn't a prostitute. Compound that this is a typical night out for married Korean guys, and it's triple-ewwww. It's really something that's bugged me about Korean men--I've never met one that isn't always sleezily bragging about his [wink-nod-wink] "second wife" or "third wife."

[twg]

Marriage is part of the "Successful Korean" package that is demanded by society for any Korean to not be seen as a failure in life. Like the luxury car they can't really afford, nor find a place to park.

I've never met a happily married Korean man. It makes me sad.

[stumptown]

[JeJuJitsu]

[MissSeoul]

[swetepete]

I don't know, it's just really sad...I know it's a bonehead idea, and certainly won't achieve its stated goal, but at least it draws some attention to the ugly reality and stigmatizes what is all too often accepted.