ABSTRACT
A yaksutŏ is a sacred mineral spring in Korea. These sacred sites are normally located on wooded mountain slopes or in the foothills. Their waters often spring out of cracks in a rock and trickle down to a small pool. Many people believe that the sacred spring water can treat particular sicknesses or grant their special wishes. Devotees worship their guardian deities which are most commonly the Mountain Spirit (who presides over highlands where a sacred spring is located) and the Dragon King (the genius loci of the sacred mineral spring itself). Many traditional yaksutŏ are still venerated by Koreans. However, those yaksutŏ in urbanized areas are experiencing increasing pollution and their sacrality is not as often recognized; in fact, some are overtly secularized.
