By Lee Kyung-min

Multicultural Street in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, is awash with coffee houses, massage parlors and karaoke rooms selling sex, a local broadcaster reported Thursday.

According to SBS, the street in Wongok-dong, Danwon-gu, which the local government intended to develop as an exemplary multicultural community, has taken a much different direction. The Ansan municipal government spent 20 billion won in 2009 to designate it as a special area to boost tourism under the much-promoted theme of "multiculturalism," as well as build related facilities and host events.

It quoted a worker there recommending a seat with a high partition and whispering, "130,000 won an hour. There is an ATM outside the coffeehouse."

Another worker at a separate shop made the suggestion up front. "Do you need a woman? Those hired here all speak fluent Korean. Pay 130,000 won per hour," the broadcaster quoted one of the workers as saying.

The street is only 600 meters from the nearest elementary school, with one more elementary school and a middle school also nearby.

An official at the Danwon-gu Office said a team of three officials went out to inspect the area on Thursday. The official said proper and timely monitoring of the area is impossible due to a shortage of manpower.