Previously, the Jeonju City Government built an office on the spot at a local red light district known as ‘Sunmichon’ in an effort to purchase brothels, which were then turned into cultural spaces. (Image: Yonhap)
JEONJU, Jan. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — The city of Jeonju is accelerating its efforts to revamp a local red light district into a village for culture and arts.
Previously, the Jeonju City Government built an office on the spot at a local red light district known as ‘Sunmichon’ in an effort to purchase brothels, which were then turned into cultural spaces.
This year, the Jeonju government is going one step further by spending a total of some 2 billion won, which will go towards building what is being called Hand Made City, a cultural space for handcrafts.
According to the local government, plans for the construction of Hand Made City will be complete in the first half of this year, while the construction itself is set to be completed by the end of the year.
The city of Jeonju is accelerating its efforts to revamp a local red light district into a village for culture and arts. (Image: Yonhap)
Centering on Sunmichon, other less developed areas of the city will also be part of the cultural infrastructure project, which will see improvement of overall infrastructure in the district, including the construction of new paths and streets.
Jeonju government officials are hopeful the new project will tackle stigmas attached to Sunmichon and turn the area into a cultural space as well as a tourist spot in connection with Jeonju Hanok Village, a landmark that represents the city.
It has been estimated that around 80 sex workers are currently working at properties within Sunmichon.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
