Controversial Incheon 'Ojumssaegae Statue'... "Public Urination is Offensive" vs "Should Be Seen as Art"

'Mudflat Peeing Boy' Sculpture Installed in 2011
"Unpleasant" Complaints from Some Citizens... Removal Requests Filed

'Mudflat Peeing Boy' statue installed in Central Park, Songdo, Incheon / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] A controversy over appropriateness has erupted regarding the 'Peeing Boy Statue' installed in a park in Incheon. Some citizens have criticized it as inappropriate for public art. However, there are also opinions that overly strict moral standards should not be applied to works of art.

According to the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority on the 18th, two complaints were recently filed with the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission's online petition system requesting the removal of the public artwork installed in Central Park, Songdo International City, Incheon.

This statue is a sculpture called 'Mudflat Peeing Boy' installed in the park in 2011. It depicts three boys with their pants down urinating toward the river in the form of a fountain.

The artist Kim Younggeol, who created the sculpture, is said to have made this work to evoke memories of children who used to roam the mudflats around Songdo to catch clams but had no access to restrooms, so they played urination contests in the middle of the mudflat.

However, some citizens have expressed dissatisfaction with this statue. They argue that it is excessively provocative as a public artwork installed in a park visited by children.

One complainant said, "The image of boys with their pants down exposing their genitals is unpleasant," and requested its removal, questioning, "Why is a statue of a boy urinating needed in the park?"

Complaints have also continued online. A netizen wrote on the Songdo-related online community 'All That Songdo,' "My elementary school son has been embarrassed by this statue for some time, and even couples on dates are surprised by the detailed depiction," adding, "Compared to 10 years ago when the statue was erected, the current social atmosphere makes the statue seem problematic."

They further stated, "The nostalgia for public urination depicted here seems unrelated to Incheon's history and does not fit the image of Central Park," and added, "I hope it will be replaced with another symbolic artwork."

On the other hand, some argue that as a work of art, it should be viewed with a more tolerant perspective. One netizen said, "If you look at it as art, there shouldn't be a problem."

Another netizen pointed out, "Art is just art, so isn't it excessive to apply such strict ethical standards?"

Meanwhile, this is not the first time a public sculpture has sparked controversy over its provocative nature.

Previously, in September 2017, a drinking fountain shaped like a urinating child was installed in Seoul Plaza but was removed after the controversy grew.

In October of the same year, during the Punggi Ginseng Festival in Yeongju City, Gyeongbuk Province, a large sculpture depicting a specific male body part was installed, causing controversy. A banner with the phrase 'Power of Ginseng' was attached to the upper body part of the sculpture.

As criticism intensified, the body part of the sculpture was removed.