Adult Broadcast Studio Near Elementary School Fuels Resident Conflict Amid Legal Hurdles

Residents are experiencing deepening conflict as an adult broadcast studio operating right next to an elementary school causes students discomfort, with no clear legal means for sanction under current laws.

The issue began in March last year when an 'Excel broadcast' studio opened about 100 meters from Eonbuk Elementary School in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. 'Excel broadcast' features female internet broadcasters (BJ) performing suggestive dances and actions, with content displaying sponsor rankings like an Excel spreadsheet. The National Tax Service designated this type of business as a 'cyber 룸살롱' (cyber hostess bar) last year. At the studio, suggestive dancing, provocative behavior, revealing attire, and street smoking by female BJ's have been witnessed.

Elementary school students stated, "It's uncomfortable and unpleasant to see people walking around in short clothes." One parent testified, "I've seen men and women in very heavy makeup smoking in front of the building multiple times." Parents have filed a series of complaints with the Office of Education, the school, and the district office since mid-month.

Gangnam-gu conducted a joint inspection with the police and school officials on the 23rd, but due to a lack of grounds for sanction under the Educational Environment Improvement Act and the Youth Protection Act, they were unable to determine if it qualified as a 'youth harmful establishment' or take substantial measures. Police and the district office determined the studio does not fall under the 'youth harmful establishment' category as defined by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's notice. The school announced through a home-school communication letter that it recognizes the commuting route inconveniences and plans to monitor the situation in cooperation with relevant agencies. A Gangnam-gu official explained that sanctions require legal grounds and current regulations are ambiguous.

A psychology professor at Dankook University pointed out that the exposure alone can affect elementary school students whose brains and psychology are still developing, and that the problem lies in legal regulations failing to keep pace with reality.