Police said Saturday that they would set up an anti-obscenity task force to crack down on lewd behavior by men near schools.

The decision is designed to ease concerns among students over those who expose themselves near schools, they said.

In South Korea, an act of public indecency can be punished by a prison sentence of up to a year or a fine of up to 5 million won ($4,500).

Lewd behaviors by men have often been reported recently near girls’ schools.

Last year, the top prosecutor on Jejudo Island was charged with masturbating in public near his residence on the island. 

(Yonhap)