This week on Jeju: A to Z, Todd Thacker takes a brief look at the Kim Man-deok Memorial Hall. Dedicated to one of Jeju’s most famous businesswomen, the hall aims to educate future generations about this renowned Jeju personality.

In the heart of old Jeju City is a new, modern building dedicated to one of Jeju Island’s most famous philanthropists, a woman who lived almost three centuries ago.

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Sanjicheon, Jeju City

The Kim Man-deok Memorial Hall in Sanjicheon, Jeju City, opened earlier this year after two years of construction. The crisp, modern architecture of the exterior belies the historical content of its interior.

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Jeju suffered a famine in the 1700s

The hall details Kim’s heroic efforts to save her fellow islanders during a severe famine in the late 1700s. During that time, Jeju suffered from numerous floods, droughts, and typhoons, which wiped out the farmers’ crops.

Kim, a successful businesswoman, used her contacts in the import-export trade to have food brought to Jeju from mainland Korea. She spent nearly her entire personal fortune in the process.

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Education center, exhibition area tell Kim’s story

Various historical artifacts, documents, public records, and videos about Kim Man-deok are on display here. The first floor of the hall is an education center, while the second floor is dedicated to Kim’s personal story and philanthropic efforts. An exhibition area is on the top floor.

Visitors can take advantage of the interactive design of the displays to learn about all the ways Kim supported her community, especially when Jeju Island was much more remote and desolate than what we know today.

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mandukmuseum.or.kr

Hall curator Kim Sang-hoon says that education is essential if there is to be another person like Kim Man-deok. To this end, the museum plans to offer public seminars and education programs over the coming months.

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Todd Thacker

The Kim Man-deok Memorial Hall is more than just another tourist site. It’s a whole new way for people to experience an important part of Jeju history and its unique personality -- in this case in the form of a remarkable Jeju woman.

Todd Thacker, KCTV