As a rendering of the planned Hwaseong Women's Prison spread online and sparked controversy that it was "excessively luxurious," the Ministry of Justice released the finalized rendering. It is designed plainly, like a typical prison building.
The Ministry of Justice said on the 31st that "there is room for misunderstanding regarding the rendering of the women's prison in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi," adding that "the rendering (circulating online) was submitted in September 2020 when a bid was held to select the designer for the 'Hwaseong Women's Prison construction project.'"
It added, "The project is being pursued with the state property fund budget, reflecting an appropriate budget through the Public Procurement Service's design adequacy review at the design stage and consultations with the Ministry of Planning and Budget."
Recently, in online communities, a photo said to be a rendering of the Hwaseong Women's Prison that the Ministry of Justice is pushing to establish was circulated. Internet users reacted by saying things like "Is it a resort?" and "It rivals a vacation spot."