By Lee Han-soo

Gangnam-gu removed 27 illegal brothels from near schools and residential areas during the first half of this year, according to the Gangnam-gu Office on Monday.

Twenty-three were in residential areas, while four were near schools.

"We will continue to cooperate closely with the Gangnam and Suseo Police Station to get rid of illegal brothels," Lee Hee-yeon, who heads the urban advancement office.

Gangnam is the first Korean local government to remove illegal brothels forcibly to create a safe and comfortable residential environment.

It has removed 187 brothels since 2013.