Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young: "Former Suwon Station Sex Trade District to Be Developed as Public Space"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young stated, “We will continue to make efforts to develop the former Suwon Station sex trade district into a space that citizens can easily visit anytime.”

On the afternoon of the 2nd, Mayor Yeom visited 114 Masanro 1-ga, where the former Suwon Station sex trade district was located, to inspect the progress of the fire road construction project and stated, “I included ‘closure of the Suwon Station sex trade district’ as a key campaign promise for the seventh civilian-led administration, and established the ‘Suwon Station Street Improvement Task Force’ in January 2019. We have seen results in just over three years.”

He continued, “I especially thank the police for actively cooperating in closing the Suwon Station sex trade district,” and added, “I also express my gratitude to the residents of Godeung-dong and Massan-dong who came together, to Suwon City Council members, Gyeonggi Province Council members, and the members of the Masanro Business Association.”

The fire road construction project inspected by Mayor Yeom on this day involves creating a fire road measuring 6 meters in width and 163 meters in length in the center of the former Suwon Station sex trade district to establish a safety system against disasters such as fires. The project is scheduled to be completed this month.

The Suwon Station Street Improvement Task Force began work to remove asbestos starting in February and proceeded to demolish buildings and other obstructing structures, followed by full-scale promotion of the fire road construction project. The task force also proceeded with ‘replacement of aging water supply and sewage pipes’ and ‘city gas supply pipeline installation works.’

Additionally, LED street lights were installed at seven locations, and security and illegal parking surveillance CCTVs were installed at three locations to create a bright street where citizens can safely pass through. A safety system has also been established to prepare for disasters such as fires.

The fire road construction project played a major role in the sex trade business operators ‘voluntarily closing’ on May 31st.

Currently, reconstruction and remodeling are underway in 48 of the 78 buildings (61.5%) that were previously used as sex trade establishments. On October 26th, the ‘youth no-access zone’ designated in July 1999 was lifted after 22 years, and the street is now accessible to youth as well.

The city has also been promoting the ‘Phase 2 sex trade district road opening project’ since March. This involves opening a 6-meter-wide and 50-meter-long road within the district and will be carried out until December next year.

In addition, construction of hub spaces is underway utilizing remaining land in the road opening section. One existing building will be remodeled and utilized as a multipurpose space for exhibitions and performances, and green space for citizen rest areas is also planned to be created.