By Kim Tae-jong
Is South Korean society, still quite conservative, ready to throw caution and all clothing to the wind in such a radical resort? Not yet.
A wilderness area in Korea where one can stroll naked along with strangers might have been the image that came across the mind of most people when they heard that a provincial county had opened a “nude forest retreat” last weekend.
The opening in Jangheung County, South Jeolla Province, made many headlines, sparking much curiosity among the public.
Though days have passed since the grand opening no one has yet to wander around in the buff. Everyone knows it as a park for nudists, but officials from the county say it wasn’t intended to be promoted as a “nude forest camp,” blaming the media for much-hyped “misperception.’’
“Its official name is Vivi Ecotopia, rather than a nude forest retreat” said Park Kwang-ho, an official from the county said, adding “vivi” was taken from the English word “vivid.”
The county government originally pushed to open a nudist area for the first time in Korea to allow visitors to fully enjoy the forest sun baking naked.
Strong opposition from religious and conservative civic groups forced it to drastically alter the scheme so visitors must wear disposable panties and gowns, and restricted the naked zone to a few designated huts or small caves in the hills.
“The special clothes can help visitors enjoy the forest better,” Park said. “But those who want to take part in the experience of being naked should remain inside the huts or caves.”
The forest sun baking area is located inside the Jangheung Woodland, famous for hundreds of 40-year-old cypress trees on 33 hectares of land. There is no admission fee but visitors should buy the special clothes for 2,000 won, and they are not allowed to carry their cellphones or cameras inside the park.
About 300 visitors came on the opening day of the park on July 30, the official said.
“The main purpose of the park is to help people alleviate skin diseases such as an atopic allergy and meditate in a quiet environment,” he said.
But when Jangheung Mayor Lee Myeong-heum came up with the idea of a “nude forest sun baking,” he planned to create a nudist place where visitors can enjoy nature and release stress while undressed and actively promoted the benefits of being unclothed in the forest. He had even promised to go naked himself in the park.
The county also emphasized that there was no legal problems with the park as long as it was within an area shielded by thick trees.
Religious groups resisted and residents denounced the plan, arguing it will violate public morals.
“It’s unthinkable to have a nudist camp here,” said Kim Jeong-real, a priest at the Jangheung Central Church. “We think it’s ethically wrong and it only damages the good reputation of Jangheung, famous as a home for scholars and beautiful nature.”
He criticized using the word “nude” simply to attract more tourists should not be accepted.
Previous attempts to designate nudist areas by other provincial governments have also come to nothing, due to similar reasons. Jeju Island sought to develop a nudist beach in 2009, but failed to carry through with the plan due to strong resistance from various civic groups.
Still, many people find it disappointing to see local governments withdraw the plan to make a nudist tour site.
“I don’t think a nudist forest resort is going to be a problem,” said Kim Dae-hyun, a 35-year-old employee at an accounting firm in Seoul. “There are similar places in other countries.”
He also said people don’t need to be skeptical of a nudist retreat as long as it is used for therapeutic purposes. “But I’m not sure if I would go naked there myself.”