There are tens of thousands of stone walls, or “batdam,” in Jeju, and they have a rich history. Here’s Mike Balfour to explain.

Jeju’s batdam stone walls surround the island’s farm fields.


[slug]
Jeju ‘batdam’ stretch for 22,000 kilometers

The black volcanic stone walls create organic maze-like formations. The Jeju field stone fences are also referred to as “The Black Dragon Stone Fences of Jeju.” There are approximately 22,000 kilometers of the walls about the island.

[camera]
Kim Seung-cheol

The stone walls function as protection - keeping wildlife, insects and strong winds from damaging crops, not to mention delineating property.

[INTERVIEW]
Jeong Kwang-joong / VP, Jeju National University
In the beginning, the stone walls were mainly used to mark farmers’ land. They then gradually became a means of protection against animals such as cows, horses, and other wildlife.
<인터뷰:정광중 제주대학교 부총장>
"최초에는 자기가 소유하는 경계의 의미로 그 다음에 그 당시 집에서 기르는 소나 가축, 말들의 피해 또는 들에서 자라는 들짐승들의 피해를 막기 위해서 쌓았는데..."

So then, when exactly did the Jeju batdam originate?
They have been used ever since the beginning of a farming culture on the island.

[INTERVIEW]
Kang Jung-hyo / Photographer
Jeju’s stone walls were created as a result of the farmers clearing their farms of stones.
<인터뷰:강정효 사진작가>
"농사를 짓기 위해서는 밭에 있는 돌을 치워야 되고 그 치우는 과정에서
생겨난 게 돌담이다 이렇게 설명을 할 수가 있겠죠."

It was documented by a judge named Kim Gu who was assigned to Jeju during the Goryeo dynasty in the year 1234. He claimed that the stone walls were used to measure and resolve property ownership disputes.

This document is valuable in that it proves the existence of the batdam back in the Goryeo dynasty.

[INTERVIEW]
Jeong Kwang-joong / VP, Jeju National University
We should recognize the fact that the system was established to protect the land of powerless people from trespassing or being stolen.
<인터뷰:정광중 제주대학교 부총장>
"힘이 약한 백성들의 토지를 자꾸 침범하면서 약탈하는 사례가 발생해서
그것을 막기위해서 제도적으로 강력하게 추진해서 정착 시켰다는 것은 우리가 인정할 수 있지 않을까 이렇게 생각을 합니다."

[reporter]
Mike Balfour

The Jeju batdam culture is a result our ancestors wisdom in overcoming difficulty. It is living proof of their efforts and sweat. It is a unique part of Jeju’s history that needs to be preserved.

Mike Balfour KCTV