U.S. ambassadors to Korea have expressed love toward haenyeo.

Harry Harris, the incumbent ambassador, is no exception.

He and his wife visited the island for the first time and had an unforgettable time with woman divers.

Joseph Kim reports.


[slug] Daepyeong-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo

Ms. Bruni Bradley, the wife of Harry B. Harris, US ambassador to Korea, goes out to sea in a diving suit with (해녀) Haenyeo.

[slug] Wife of U.S. Ambassador dives with haenyeo

A woman diver polishes Bruni’s swimming goggles and hands them to her.

The kind welcoming gesture breaks the ice despite the language barrier.

INTERVIEW
Oh Yeon-su / Fishing community leader, Daepyeong-ri, Seogwipo
We’d like to show Bruni Bradley sea mustards, sea trumpets, turban shells, abalone, and sea urchin.
[인터뷰 오연수 / 서귀포시 대평리 어촌계장]
"들어가면 미역이나 감태 해조류 많이 있고 소라나 문어 전복, 성게 등 그런 거 여사님에게 보여드리고 싶고... "

After Bruni Bradley observed the island’s woman divers’ operation, she picked up some marine trash.

She appreciated the haenyeo’s efforts to preserve marine resources.

INTERVIEW
Bruni Bradley / Wife of US Ambassador to Korea

[인터뷰 브루니 브래들리 / 여사 ]
"해녀들은 해양 환경을 보전하는데 정말 뛰어납니다. 자란 해산물만을 채취하고요. 작은 것들이 자라서 다시 채취할 수 있게 말이죠."

[slug] U.S. Ambassador couple highly interested in haenyeo’s diving gear

The US ambassador couple showed high interest in the haenyeo’s equipment and asked one question after another on diving gear.

Mr. Harris whose hobby is collecting Korean traditional masks says his brief visit is satisfying as he could peer into the lives of the woman divers.

INTERVIEW
Harry B. Harris / US Ambassador to Korea

[인터뷰 해리 해리스 / 주한 미국대사 ]
"해녀라는 직업이 점차 사라져가는 예술, 사라지는 직업이란 느낌이 드는데 이렇게 함께 활동할 수 있는 기회를 가질 수 있어서 행운이고요."

Mr. Harris is not the first US ambassador who loves the haenyeo.

Kathleen Stephens experienced the life of a haenyeo in 2011.

Mark Lippert became a graduate of a Haenyeo School in Jeju.

[slug] U.S. ambassadors supported inclusion of haenyeo as UNESCO cultural heritage

They supported the inclusion of Jeju haenyeo in intangible cultural heritage of humanity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Jwa Sang-eun

The Harris couple also expressed their love for haenyeo and is helping the world to better know about the cultural heritage of Jeju.

Joseph Kim, KCTV