고추 (gochu) is Korean red or green pepper. This type of pepper can be very mild or quite hot. They are often eaten fresh, using ssamjang as a dip. Note: It is also slang for penis.

Gochu peppers

The pepper is the symbol of Goesan-gun in Chungcheongbuk-do and a number of various gochu statues are found around the county. This one is at the turnoff to Suyok pokpo(waterfall) and Mungyeong SaeJae's third gate, in the far NE corner of the county.

In cooking, powdered red pepper, or cayenne pepper, is known as 고추가루 (gochugaru), 가루 meaning simply powder.