A sex festival billed as the 'first and largest' in South Korea has been cancelled after a public outcry saw venues pull out and performers quit, fearing they might be attacked or even stabbed if they attended.

Thousands of fans were expected to flock to see their favourite Japanese porn stars at last weekend's 'KXF The Fashion' event, but it was called off just 24 hours before it was due to begin.

South Korea is known for having a conservative approach to adult entertainment, with strip shows and public nudity illegal, as well as the sale and distribution of hardcore pornography.

Local authorities slammed the proposed event as 'morally harmful', with organisers forced to search for new venues as they struggled to get permission, losing tens of thousands in revenue as they had to cancel tickets.

Meanwhile, a Korean women's group protested against the festival, arguing that rather than 'a celebration of sex' it would encourage the exploitation and objectification of women.

When the event was set to go ahead in their town of Suwon, the group protested with signs saying that the sex industry encourages violence against women.

They accused the festival of exploiting women in a country where gender violence is endemic.

This was not, they argued, a festival aimed at both sexes. The heavily female, scantily-clad advertising suggested ticket-holders were likely to be overwhelmingly male.

The local mayor condemned the event for taking place near a primary school and the authorities threatened to revoke the venue's licence if it went ahead. The venue pulled out.

Mr Lee found a new location, but his proposed event was again criticised by local authorities, with the venue cancelling again.

He then found a boat docked in Seoul whose promoter said he could hold the event, but the leaseholder threatened to pull the plug if it went ahead.