South Korean adult festival featuring Japanese porn stars faces stiff opposition amid prostitution concerns
- Many local councils have refused to host the 2024 KFX The Fashion event in their cities, citing concerns about potential illegal activities at the show
- But a lawmaker defended the festival, saying adult film actors should not be banned from taking part in it based on their profession
Mayor Kim Kyung-il of Paju City, Gyeonggi province, who played a pivotal role in cancelling the “2024 KFX The Fashion” event in his city, voiced his concerns during an appearance on CBS Radio’s “Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show” on Wednesday.
“There are suspicions that prostitution could occur at the adult festival,” Kim said, emphasising the necessity for stringent regulatory measures.
The festival, organised by Play Joker, was initially scheduled to take place in Suwon, but was moved to Paju due to local opposition, and eventually faced cancellations at alternative venues along the Han River and in Seoul’s Gangnam district.
Countering Mayor Kim’s argument, lawmaker Cheon Ha-ram of the New Reform Party, newly elected on a proportional representation ticket, questioned the selective enforcement of laws.
“If that’s the concern, why aren’t room salons (where male clients are entertained by hostesses) across the country being shut down?” Cheon said during the CBS talk show.