Some of the island’s most beloved scenic spots are being damaged by an increasing number of rock climbing enthusiasts.
Joseph Kim reports.

[slug] Bery Oreum in Hwabuk-dong, Jeju City

This is (베리) Bery Oreum in (화북동) Hwabuk-dong, Jeju City.
This is the only place in Jeju City where you can see naturally created columnar joints.
The cliff of the columnar joints stands beautifully against the water.

[slug] Highly valuable for rare ingredients

The cliff has high geological value as it is made of trachybasalt, a rare kind of volcanic rock.
But ugly support structures are nailed down to the cliff here and there and rock crumbles are scattered all over.

[slug] Illegal iron structures damage cliff

Authorities once planned to designate the cliff as a cultural asset for its beauty. But now it turned into an eyesore.

Representative, Jeju City
The cliff is on private property. We cannot remove the structures as it’s not on publicly owned land.
<제주시 관계자>
"공유지이면 저희가 공유지 내에 무단으로 시설물 설치한 것으로 보고 저희가 제거를 해야 될 거예요. 근데 그게 지금 사유지입니다. 사유지라서 이거 뭐. "

The iron structures are a headache for the municipal office.
And the columnar joints are breakable by nature, which increases the likelihood of falling onto climbers.

INTERVIEW
An Ung-san / Representative, Province
The joint system can be fractured at a joint if a climber walks or climbs along the edge of a joint. This would cause severe injury.
<인터뷰 : 안웅산 / 세계유산본부 지질학박사 >
"기둥형태로 돌들이 대부분 다 절리 면을 따라서 분리돼 있기 때문에 그곳을 따라서 등반을 한다든지 활동을 하다 보면 그런 돌들이 붕락될 수 있어서 안전상의 문제가 클 것으로 생각이 됩니다."

[slug] Bangseonmun Valley, National Cultural Property No.92

This is (방선문) Bangseonmun Valley which means ‘a gate for angels’, designated as a National Cultural Property.
This place has been off-limits due to a rockslide since 2014.
However, some rock climbers sneak into the place.

[slug] Some climb without protective gear
## from YouTube

They climb the cliff skillfully without protective gear.
It looks dangerous.

[slug] Oedolgae Rock also conquered by climbers

As the number of rock climbers grows, beautiful cliffs are being targeted for conquest.
(외돌개) Oedolgae Rock, designated as an official scenic spot by the Cultural Heritage Administration, is no exception.

Rock climber
This is the Oedolgae Rock.
<외돌개 등반객>
"아, 여기가 그 유명한 외돌개 해벽입니다."

Worries are growing as beautiful cliffs are getting ugly scars.

Lee Seung-a / Provincial councilor
It’s sad that awareness of preservation of cliffs is low for some rock climbers. We need to closely monitor preservation works to make sure that authorities do the right job.
<인터뷰 : 이승아 / 제주도의회 의원 >
"지금 절실하게 보존이 필요한 상황인데 그 소중함에 대한 가치 인식이 부족한 게 아닌가 하는 안타까움이 있고요. 행정에서 예산을 들여서 문화재 돌봄 사업을 하고 있는데 그 부분에 대해서 제대로 역할을 하고 있는지 철저한 관찰이 필요할 것 같습니다. "

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Kim Yong-min
[Video source] YouTube

Some of the island’s beautiful sceneries are being damaged by some thoughtless climbers.

Joseph Kim, KCTV