44 Pct of prostitutes earn more than 3 million won a month

Forty-four percent of prostitutes in so-called ¡°House Number 300,¡± one of the largest red light districts in Pusan, earn more than 3 million won (about $2,500) a month, a recent survey showed.

This comparatively high income was cited as the key factor that makes it so difficult for them to quit prostitution. The survey was conducted among 117 prostitutes by the Pusan Metropolitan City government.

Only five of those questioned earn less then 1 million won a month on average. Those who earn 1-2 million won numbered 32 or 27 percent of the total, while 29 prostitutes, or 25 percent, earn 2-3 million won. Fifty-one respondents, or 44 percent, said they make more than 3 million won.

The survey also showed that 62 people, or 53 percent of those polled, saved 1 million or less of their earnings, while 25 respondents, or 21 percent, said they saved more than 1 million won. Thirty of the prostitutes, or 26 percent, were found to have no bank accounts.

As for their educational backgrounds, 76 of those polled, or 65 percent, graduated from high school while 32 (27 percent) graduated from middle school. A total of five (4 percent) either graduated from elementary school or did not attend school. Four of the respondents, or 3 percent, were found to be college or university graduates. As for the motives for being prostitutes, 101 or 86 percent cited money, followed by family problems or recommendations by friends.

The survey undermined the conventional notion that prostitutes are prevented from leaving the trade due to debts. A total of 66 respondents, or 56 percent, said they had no debts. Only 16 of those polled, or 14 percent, said they have debts of 5-10 million won while seven of those questioned (6 percent) reported having more than 10 million won in debts.