This week on Jeju: A to Z, Todd Thacker takes a brief look at Jeju’s batdam, or stone fences, which for centuries have been used to protect homes and crops from the island’s strong winds.



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Jeju is a volcanic island, and its people have developed a strong identity known as Jeju stone culture.


The island’s location in the ocean, and strong prevailing winds, generally make it a difficult place to grow crops. Its arable land is made up mostly of lava stone fields.


In order for farmers to start planting their crops, they had to move the stones out of the way. They stacked them into winding fences called batdam.


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Estimated 22,000 km of basalt fences islandwide


According to a provincial government report, over the centuries islanders have built an estimated 22,000 kilometers of these stone fences. Batdam require no mortar, as the rock is naturally porous and they adhere to each other easily, so the fences are remarkably strong.


They provide homes with shelter from the strong wind, and also protect crops during storms. An added benefit is that they reduce soil erosion and preserve Jeju’s biodiversity.


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Gained UN designation in 2014


In light of this, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization officially designated batdam as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System in 2014.


This is the first time agricultural systems in Korea have been recognized internationally, and now will be subject to national and international protections.


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Todd Thacker


Jeju stone fences are securely entrenched in the island’s aesthetic and cultural identity. Their functionality, and beauty, are truly unique to Jeju.


Todd Thacker, KCTV