Those who occupied the ruling class called "Yangban" during the Joseon period of Korea (1392-1910) were neither obliged to work nor to pay taxes.
They enjoyed not only "exploitation of the lower class" and "unproductive life" but also affairs with Kisaeng (also spelled gisaeng), sometimes called ginyeo (기녀), were officially sanctioned Korean female entertainers or sometimes prostitutes.
Women of the Kisaeng class performed various roles fully recognized by the government of Korea. They were trained to entertain those in the ruling class at the special facilities established by the government of Korea. Not only serving to function as entertainers or prostitutes to the ruling class, they also performed diplomatic and military roles whenever necessary.
Major roles performed by the women of the Kisaeng classs:
1. They entertained the ruling class.
2. They entertained the Chinese missions with sexual services.
3. They were often shipped out as gifts to China.
4. They were ordered to live in the remote areas to entertain the Korean soldiers defending the borders.
The government of Korea had been viewed as "a large scale brothel" by China during the Joseon period of Korea.
A training school for the Kisaeng classs in Pyongyang, Korea
Dynasty
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