The provincial government is creating new hiking trails that connect some of the island’s freshwater springs. It hopes the walking courses will draw attention to the importance of the island water supply, and the need to preserve it. Joseph Kim reports.



Report
This is a freshwater spring in (상귀리) Sanggwi-ri, (애월읍) Aewol-eup, Jeju City.

[slug]
Jangsumul in Sanggwi-ri, Aewol-eup

According to a legend, footsteps by the general, (김통정) Kim Tong-jeong from the (고려) Goryeo dynasty, made a dent into the ground and freshwater started to spring up.

The spring is named (장수물) Jangsumul or General Water.

In the past, the spring water had been clean and drinkable.

But quickly the water had become polluted and depleted.

INTERVIEW
Kim Ok-hui / Area resident
This place has beautiful landscapes, but it looks neglected. I wish more people would come and enjoy the views.
< 김옥희 / 애월읍 광령리 >
경관은 아름다운데 방치되고 있다는 느낌? 문화재 삼아서 많은 사람이 와서 보면 좋겠는데 방치된 느낌이 들어요.

The province is now working on projects to revitalize disappearing freshwater springs.

[slug]
New walking trails will connect freshwater springs

As its first phase, the province will create trails that connect the scattered freshwater springs around the Anti-Mongolian Historical Site.

For the construction, concrete ground around (구시물) Gusimul spring and (소왕물) Sowangmul spring has been removed and basalt rocks were put in place of the concrete. That captures the island’s distinctive flavour.

Signs for the springs will be set up and a foot spa for trekkers on Olle Trail 16 will be added.

INTERVIEW
Gang Hyeon-woo / Village leader, Sanggwi-ri
I believe the refurbishment will attract more tourists and walkers to our village.
< 강현우 / 애월읍 상귀리장 >
이렇게 정비하면 관광객이나 보도여행자들에게도 마을이 소개되니까 마을 이미지가 아주 좋아질 것 같습니다.

The province is planning to open the first trail next year once the refurbishment is completed. Then it will expand similar trails across the island to attract trekkers.

The island will manage and preserve 600 freshwater springs by enacting provincial notifications.

The springs will be categorized by historical importance, yield of water and water quality under the notification.

INTERVIEW
Yang Won-seok / Provincial office of water management
The first trail features the history of the spring. The next trails will be about the community cultures near them.
< 양원석 / 제주특별자치도 환경자산물관리과 >
올해는 주제를 역사로 잡았는데 내년에는 설촌 유래나 용천수 중심의 마을이 형성된 문화도 주제로 해서 사업들은 점차 늘어날 예정입니다.

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Ko Moon-su

In 2010, the Jeju Research Institute had developed a walking trail along springs on the island. But it proved to be a failure.

The new historical trail that connects springs will be tested next year.

Joseph Kim, KCTV