A South Korean sex workers’ advocacy group vowed Thursday to launch a trade union within this year to protect their labor rights and file a petition to the United Nations to challenge the highest court’s ruling in favor of the antiprostitution law.

Denouncing the Constitutional Court’s ruling earlier this year as “taking side with those having power,” the Hanteo National Union said it would seek for those selling sex to be entitled to labor rights such as severance pay, state pension and health insurance. The group will also establish a shelter for sex workers, it said.

“We have been waiting for 12 years for the government to provide sex workers with welfare and help them get out of the prostitution ring,” the group said at a press conference in central Seoul.

“But now we have no one to ask for help.

“The opinions of the weak have been neglected. We won’t give up legalization of the sex trade, which is our reality,” said the group.

On March 31, the Constitutional Court confirmed the legality of the antisex trafficking law, citing the need to curb demand for prostitution.

Under the law, which took effect in 2004, those who voluntarily sell or buy sex can face a penalty of up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 3 million won ($2,500). It exempts people forced into prostitution.

Sex laborers have strongly opposed the antiprostitution law, saying that it violates sex workers’ freedom to choose their job and to do what they want with their own bodies.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)