Gonjang

Gonjang (곤장) is the Korean word for corporal punishment administered to the buttocks (spanking).

The word is particularly used in refering to a paddling while the delinquent is positioned lying face down on a bench or a horizontal cross structure. The implements used for gonjang punishment are very big and heavy wooden paddles and the paddling was administered on the bare buttocks -- or in the case of women, on their wet clothes.

This method was used in the old days for judicial corporal punishment in Korea. According to the image material available, the punishment seems to have been administered typically outdoors and in public or semi-public. Sometimes two paddles seem to have been used by two spankers, one standing on each side of the spankee. The spankee's wrists and ankles were often bound to the bench or cross with rope.

Various historic places in South Korea that are open for tourism and visitors today have a gonjang crosses on display. Visitors can lie on them and take photos and videos for amusement.