According to the article the Cheongnyangni 588 red light district got started during the Korean War since it was the location of a station that transported soldiers north to the front lines.  After the war the location remained a major red light district for Seoul.  Now it will soon become an apartment development as the brothels are all being evicted:

The brothel area has long been called just “588,” although it is unclear where this name came from. Some historians say it was derived from one of the back alley’s address, while others say the area used to have a bus service with that number.

Now the district is counting down its final days.

A redevelopment project will begin later this year — tall luxury buildings will occupy the 41,586 square meters of land — and developers are evicting the women.

The demolition and eviction of the remaining 588 zone will begin next month.  [Korea Times]

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