And now for another in our series of reports on the changes affecting coastal communities. Here’s Mike Balfour with a story on Beopwhan-dong, Seogwipo.

Beopwhan-dong is a village located on Seogwipo’s south coast. It is the southernmost point of Jeju Island proper.

Its location is such that it is hard hit by typhoons. The village’s breakwater has been lengthened year by year.

There is a noticeable difference when comparing the coastline with that of 2003. But that is not all that has transformed over the years.

Similar to other coastal locations Beopwhan village has also seen a lot of recreational development including cafes, restaurants and hotels. And of course this has raised real estate market values.


Land bought by immigrants has exceeded 360 parcels which is more than twice than the 150 parcels sold to local residents.


In the last 10 years more and more immigrants have been buying land and moving to the area surpassing the number of parcels bought by local residents. When taking a look at the total population, 20% out of the 2500 people are immigrants.

[INTERVIEW]
Hyun Min-cheol / Village chief, Beopwhan
Rather than being constantly reluctant to integrate non-islanders, if we can see this as a positive transformation, the new residents will be able to better settle in, and they be more open to getting along with those who already live here.
< 현민철 / 법환마을회장 >
외지에서 와서 굴러온 돌이 박힌 돌을 뺀다는 식으로 말할 바에는 필요하거나 불편한 것을 같이 해소하면 되지 않겠나 생각합니다. 2천년대 들어 급격히 늘기 시작한 이주민은 이제 마을의 구성원으로 자리잡으며 하나될 준비를 하고 있습니다.

Located close to the sea, this location is not only a hot potato in the real estate market, it is popular among women divers. Back in 2003 the area was selected as a Haenyeo village.

People are nowadays even coming from the mainland just to attend the Haenyeo school here.

[INTERVIEW]
Kang Kyoung-soon / Haenyeo School student (from Daejeon)
I fell in love with Jeju, with its ‘haenyeo’ and ocean. I registered as a student at the Beopwhan Haenyeo School as soon as it opened.
< 강경순 / 해녀학교 학생 (대전시) >
해녀와 바다가 너무 좋아서 제주에 미쳐서 몇년 다니다가 법환에 해녀학교 생기면서 1기로 하고 있는데 너무 좋아요.

Kyoung-soon came to Jeju for her passion of Haenyeo and the sea. Although she is 52, her age is unimportant.

She has a dream to one day become a professional woman diver.

[INTERVIEW]
Kang Kyoung-soon / Haenyeo School student (from Daejeon)
I caught 4 shellfish. Tell me they’re lovely. (You’re doing great! You can do it if you try hard enough!) They constantly compliment and encourage me like this.
(You’ll become rich if you work hard. Good job!) Thank you.
소라 4마리 잡았어요. 예쁘다 해주세요. (아이고 예쁘다. 착하다. 열심히 하면 잘할 수 있어.) 요즘은 이렇게 잘 해주신다니까요.
///
(열심히 하면 돈 많이 벌 수 있어. 잘한다.) 감사합니다.

The welcoming environment at Beopwhan is bringing waves of change to what was an exclusive culture - especially among the haenyo..

[INTERVIEW]
Lee Eun-sook / Office manager, Beopwhan Haenyeo School
At first local ‘haenyeo’ were reluctant to take part, but as they began to build relationships with the students, they now call them ‘baby haenyeo’ and really enjoy their company.
< 이은숙 / 법환해녀학교 사무장 >
해녀분들이 처음에는 거부감을 가지시다가 이 분들이 싹싹하게
잘 하니까 오히려 더 '애기해녀'하면서 좋아하시고…

[REPORTER]
Mike Balfour

This village which used to be known for its natural disasters is going through a major transformation. Not only is the coastline of Beopwhan Village transforming, it is going through enormous internal and cultural change.

MIke Balfour KCTV