The Ashley Madison site was blocked by the KCSS for its encouragement of adulterous relationships. (image: Ashley Madison)
SEOUL, Apr. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — AshleyMadison.com, an online private dating service which provoked controversy by encouraging extramarital affairs in Korea and other nations, will continue with its business in Korea in spite of a public backlash.
The Ashley Madison site, which was launched in Korea in March 2014, was blocked by the Korea Communications Standards Commission for its encouragement of adulterous relationships, which were a criminal act at the time. Following the abolition of the anti-adultery law, service to the site was re-launched on March 11.
At a press conference in Seoul on April 14, Ashley Madison representatives said that the company welcomes Korea’s decision to repeal the anti-adultery law and will continue its business in Korea to meet the reality of Korean demand for dating services and changing values. In the two weeks following the re-launch of the service, 100,000 people signed-up as members, bringing the total to 194,900 subscribers in Korea.
Christoph Kraemer, International Business Director at Ashley Madison, said that the company’s reputation as an adultery facilitator was misrepresented, adding that the company only provides a platform where its members can have discreet and secret encounters. He went on to say that the company expects its Korean sales to rank third among its operations in 46 countries by 2020.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
