An opposition lawmaker on Tuesday called for banning sex as a tool for gaining professional favors, saying it should be punished in the same way as prostitution.

Rep. You Seung-hee of the main opposition Democratic Party said she has submitted a revision bill of the related law to the National Assembly, calling for up to three years in prison or up to 30 million won ($26,915) in fines for providing or arranging sex in return for business favors.

The bill targets public officials and influence peddlers.

“Using sex as a form of hospitality has recently become a serious problem in the public sector, but it’s difficult to punish it under bribery laws because there needs to be proof that it was in return for favors,” You said.

The current law against prostitution does not cover providing sex for favors, she added. (Yonhap News)