S Koreans offered prizes to shun prostitutes

[janbo1960]

Anyone for a free toaster???........



The South Korean Government is handing out gifts for office workers who promise not to visit brothels this holiday season.

The Ministry of Gender Equality is offering to pay companies whose employees pledge not to buy sex after what are typically alcohol-soaked, year-end parties.

"If you promise yourself to make it a healthy night out at the end of the year and if you recommend this to others, we are giving lots of prizes," the ministry said in an Internet posting.

A ministry official told the Korea Times daily: "Korean corporate culture that includes heavy drinking is also what makes buying sex acceptable as a way for male-bonding, which is proving to be a hard-to-break ritual".

The Government is offering movie tickets based on the number of employees who pledge not to visit prostitutes, as well as a cash prize of about $1,370 for the company that enlists the most employees in the campaign.