Today is part six of a special series we’re bringing you on Jeju’s changing coastal landscape. Today’s destination is (신양리) Sinyang-ri in (성산읍) Seongsan-eup. This small coastal village has a population of under 1,000 people… but the landscape here has changed drastically over the past few years since large accommodation facilities started going up around neighboring (섭지코지) Seopjikoji. It’s a good example of a small village that has experienced significant change over a relatively short period of time, so it may be of use regarding what can be done to ease the transition at villages around the site for the new airport. Mike Balfour reports. [slug] Sinyang-ri, Seongsan-eup Small coastal village home to about 950
(신양리) Sinyang-ri is located on the southeastern tip of Jeju island. It’s a small village with just over 400 households and a population of around 950. The village became known to tourists in the early 2000s for bordering (섭지코지) Seopjikoji, the backdrop for popular TV dramas and movies at the time.
[slug] Conglomerates and Chinese start investing in mid-2000s
In 2006, a tourism complex was built near (신양리) Sinyang-ri, paving the way for further development in the region. Money started pouring in from domestic conglomerates and Chinese investors… which resulted in the construction of a large-scale accommodation facility.
Apart from the (섭지코지) Seopjikoji coastline where development is restricted, the entire landscape in this area has changed drastically in the last five years.
[INTERVIEW] Oh In-soon / Sinyang-ri, Seongsan-eup It’s completely different now. This road is where people used to walk their cows loaded with baggage… < 오인순 / 성산읍 신양리 > 완전히 달라졌지. 옛날에는 소 몰아서 짐 싣고 다니던 길이었는데...
(신양리) Sinyang-ri also started to attract tourists as it is the closest village to (섭지코지) Seopjikoji… and as a result, shopping complexes started being built in the village.
Compared to seven years ago, you would hardly believe it’s the same place it once was. Most of the shops here are run by non-islanders. Local villagers own about 30 percent.
[slug] Original residents struggle to adapt
The change that swept this village in the last decade has had its ups and downs. Most of the villagers made a living out of farming or fishing, so it has been hard for them to adapt to the area’s change to a commercial district.
[INTERVIEW] Jung Tae-mok / Sinyang-ri, Seongsan-eup (Conglomerates and Chinese investors) just can’t bond with the villagers. They continue to go their way and we continue to go ours. That’s what cities are like. Our village is becoming urbanized... < 정태목 / 성산읍 신양리 > (대기업·중국자본이) 부락하고 유대가 안되고 너네는 너네, 우리는 우리식으로...도시가 그런 형태지. 마을이 도시화 돼 버리니까...
[INTERVIEW] Kim Cheong-haeng / Sinyang-ri, Seongsan-eup (Non-islanders) live in apartments. They come and go. They have nothing to do with the village. (Do you mean you don’t get along?) We hardly see each other. We have nothing in common... < 김청행 / 성산읍 신양리 > (이주민들이) 개발한데서 살아버리고 아파트 지어서 나가버리니까 동네하고는 전혀 관계가 없어. (마을사람들과 어울리지 않는다는 /// 말씀이신가요?) 어울리지 않고 통하지도 않고…
[reporter] Mike Balfour
Sinyang-ri has become an example of contradictions. The highs and lows of what has become of this village may act as a guiding light for the villages surrounding the new airport location in years to come.
