Organizers say a new guided tour program will help younger people understand the value of the old downtown area in Jeju City. Mike Laidman reports.



Report

A lecture is underway at a small gallery near the (산지천) Sanjicheon River in Jeju City.

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Guided tour of Jeju City’s old downtown (December 27)

The province has organized a guided tour program to give opportunities to younger people to learn about the value of their disappearing old downtown.

Professor (김태일) Kim Tae-il from the Architectural Engineering Department of Jeju National University leads the tour and explains the history and culture of the vanishing area.

Recording
Kim Tae-il / Professor, JNU
It’s valuable because it tells the history of this area. But sadly, when we build roads here the buildings and other old sites are removed. This removal is the same as erasing an old memory ? a footprint of our history.
<씽크: 김태일 / 제주대학교 건축학과 교수>
"과거의 역사를 알 수 있는 귀중한... 우리는 이런 것들을 생각을 안 하고 자동차 길을 낸다고 다 없애버리죠. 그것을 없애버리는 거는 우리의 기억, 흔적, 역사를 지우는 것과 똑같은 겁니다."

This is the Jeju Fortress that protected the Jeju people from Japanese invaders.

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Jeju Fortress destroyed by Japanese invaders

The Japanese destroyed the fortress when they occupied Korea to dampen Korean resistance against them.

They built stairs and a Shinto shrine into the fortress site, forcing the Jeju people to worship there.

Some other old buildings which don’t receive any attention have artistic value.

This is the (동문) Dongmun Traditional Market, the island’s first modern market, built in 1962.

The building takes the shape of a big ship, heading out to sea.

Those participating come to realize the historical value of the old downtown while on the tour.

INTERVIEW
Lee Hyeon-ee / Aewol High School student
My friend recommended this tour. I’m learning a lot of historical facts about the old downtown.
<인터뷰: 이현이 / 애월고등학교 1학년>
"친구의 권유로 참여했는데 생각보다 역사적으로 배우는 것도 좋고 기본 지식이 쌓이는 것 같아요."

INTERVIEW
Yeop Jeong / JNU student
I enjoyed the tour because there were interesting stories about the island’s history.
<인터뷰: 엽정/ 제주대학교 정치외교학과 3학년>
"제주의 역사와 관련된 이야기를 재미있게 들어 정말 좋았습니다."

INTERVIEW
Ma Yeong-sam / Director, UNITAR Jeju Intl. Training Center
I believe it is meaningful for the younger generation to learn about this culture and history before it is forgotten.
<인터뷰: 마영삼 / 유니타르 제주국제연수센터 소장>
"젊은 세대들이 잃어버릴 수 있는 고유의 문화유산을 찾는 것이 큰 의미가 있다고 생각합니다."

The province has poured a lot of money and effort into revitalizing the old downtown for years, but with little results to show from it.

Experts say the province should put the value of the old first and foremost when talking about revitalization.

Recording
Kim Tae-il / Professor, JNU
I believe that we should think about how to incorporate the value of these old areas in the future.
<씽크: 김태일 / 제주대학교 건축학과 교수>
"가치를 우리가 미래를 위해서 어떤 식으로 활용할 것인가에 대해 고민을 많이 해야 한다고 생각합니다."

The old downtown tour program offers opportunities for participants to learn much about the already-forgotten history and culture...

[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Kim Yong-min

...And experts hope that this one-time program will develop into something a little more regular.

Mike Laidman, KCTV