By Emma O’Flynn

The conundrum of Korea continues.  On one hand you have the super-conservative society, where showing a bit of cleavage sends the locals into moral spasms. Then on the other extreme, you can find a park dedicated entirely to penises!!! Yes, nestled away in a quiet fishing village is the Haesindang ‘Fertility park’, better known as the Penis Park!

  According to local legend, a young, soon-to-be-married maiden, died tragically in the small fishing port.  Following this, the fish stocks declined, and the villagers believed that it was because of the maiden’s unhappy spirit.  So they erected these phallic statues to appease her…pun intended!  This folk tale has morphed into something of a spectacle, attracting foreign visitors and locals alike.

  Departure from near-by Samcheok is your only option to get to the park. A 40min ride on the local bus 24 takes you to the site. The bus can drop you off at the top entrance and you can make you way down through the park and exit by the port (don’t forget to check out the lighthouse at the end of the dock…also in keeping with the ‘theme’!).

  You’ll want to allow yourself a minimum of one hour in the park in order to appreciate all the phallic artworks, and time to construct various hilarious poses! There is little in the way of accommodation for those thinking of hanging round, but there are convenient bus stops on edge of the village, and a café and shop, for light refreshments.

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