Kiss Room 87m from School... 16% Increase in Harmful Businesses Near Schools in the First Half of the Year

73 Schools Near Harmful Businesses in Sangbakni This Year
Enforcement Loosens as COVID-19 Reduces Commuting

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] It has been revealed that there are as many as 63 harmful businesses, including kiss rooms, located within education environment protection zones adjacent to schools. The number of schools near harmful businesses increased by 16% in the first half of this year compared to last year.

According to data received from the Ministry of Education by Lee Tanhee, a member of the National Assembly Education Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea (Gyeonggi Yongin Jeong), a total of 73 schools near harmful businesses were identified this year, an increase of 10 schools in just half a year.

Most of the harmful businesses detected this year were new types of establishments such as illegal massage parlors and kiss rooms. By region, Gyeonggi Province had the highest number with 38 schools. In particular, around a kindergarten in Gyeonggi, as many as five harmful businesses including kiss rooms and massage parlors were found.

It was found that a kiss room has been operating 87 meters away from a middle school in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province. A kiss room is also operating 130 meters in front of an elementary school in Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi Province, 155 meters away from a high school in Busanjin-gu, Busan, and 166 meters away near an elementary school in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

The number of harmful businesses near education environment protection zones was ▲109 in 2018 ▲85 in 2019 ▲63 in 2020, showing a gradual decrease, but this year, as of June, it has risen to 73, surpassing last year's figure. The education environment protection zone refers to an area within a straight-line distance of 200 meters from the school boundary where certain activities or facility installations are prohibited to protect the learning environment and health and hygiene around schools.

It is pointed out that the frequency of going to and from school has significantly decreased due to COVID-19, leading to lax enforcement by education authorities against harmful businesses.

Assemblyman Lee Tanhee said, "It is obvious that harmful businesses being exposed to students twice a day on their way to and from school is not good," adding, "We must create an environment where students can safely attend school through thorough guidance and crackdowns."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.