(누웨마루) Nuwemaru, the pedestrian-only shopping street in (연동) Yeon-dong, is one of Jeju City’s most popular tourist attractions.
Traditional Korean architecture seamlessly fuses with the modern skyline, making it a unique part of the island.
However, the street is quickly deteriorating, as installations are damaged and left neglected.
Joseph Kim reports.

[slug] Nuwemaru Street

This is (누웨마루) Nuwemaru street. It is a pedestrian-only shopping street in (연동) Yeon-dong, and one of the most popular places for tourists.
The island’s traditional gate, the (정낭) Jeongnang which has two stone pillars and three wooden poles supported by the pillars are found along the street.

[slug] Gates, street lights neglected

Some poles are being used for drying clothes.

Others have been broken.
Pedestrians pick up their pace to quickly pass the neglected broken poles.
The bamboo-motif head of the street lights has been detached from the light pole a long time ago. It’s impossible to guess what it looked like before.

[slug] Trash and flyers litter street

Trash and flyers litter the street.
In the broken hollow bollard, somebody stuffed trash.
Inside the pedestrian-only street is in a similar situation.

[slug] Accessories attached to street light poles removed

Accessories once attached to the street light poles have been removed.
Many of the benches installed along the street have been broken and are occupied by trash.

[slug] Visitors frown at thrown trash

Tourists are disappointed with the mess as it is opposite to what they expect for the island.

INTERVIEW
Jeon Du-hui / Visitor from Suwon, Gyeonggi Province
There’s too much trash here. More trash bins or recycling stations are needed . Destroyed or damaged benches and street lights should be fixed and restored.
<인터뷰 : 전두희 / 경기도 수원시>
"길가를 지나다니는데 쓰레기들이 너무 많아서. 쓰레기는 많은데 주변에 쓰레기통이나 쓰레기를 정리하는 시설이 미흡했던 게 아쉬웠고요. 이런 시설물들이 훼손된 게 많아서 좀 복구가 됐으면 좋겠다는 생각이 듭니다."

INTERVIEW
Baek In-gyu / Resident, Nohyeong-dong, Jeju City
This is the street frequently visited by international tourists. But look at the trash on the main road. It is ugly.
<인터뷰 : 백인규 / 제주시 노형동>
"3,4년 전에 (관광객이) 많이 올 때 보다는 줄었지만. (그래도) 외국인 관광객들이 왕래하는 주요 통로인데 저기 쓰레기 보세요. 좀 심하지 않나."

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Park Byeong-june

As installations on (누웨마루) Nuwemaru street are not properly managed, they have become an eyesore to visitors.

Joseph Kim, KCTV