Mokpo is the gateway to many islands off the southwestern coast of Korea. The city itself is unfortunately known for its decay and poverty, and the relatively deserted and run-down streets are a world away from the rest of the country. In fact, the whole province saw public funding cuts from the 70s as the government tried to starve the opposition foothold. This is the end of the rail line, and luckily, the KTX trains take only 2.5 hours from Seoul.