‘Jatseong’ is the name given to a system of stone walls that was built about 600 years ago in Jeju. They are falling into disrepair and experts say this important part of local culture and history needs some attention. Joseph Kim has more.
This stone wall is called ‘Jatseong’, built in boundaries between horse farms.

According to the altitude, it surrounds Hallasan mountain with three layers; the Sangjatseong, Joongjatseong and Hajatseong.

It is approximately 250 km long, and was likely built in the 15th century, during the era of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty. It is believed that many people were forced to build it, since it was an unusually large scale feat of engineering.

[INTERVIEW]
Kang Man-il / Teacher, Jeju High School
It was built through Jeju people’s blood and sweat.
"제주사람들의 피와 땀의 결과물이다."

Moreover, the Jeju Jatseong is considered a unique system in terms of ranching cultural heritage. We can see the ancient wisdom of the builders through its shapes which are classified into 8 types according to their building styles. However, the remaining sections of the Jatseong are under threat of being lost to history even before it can be evaluated properly.

More than half of the longest section of the Hajatseong has already been lost, damaged by farmland renovations and tourist attraction development.

On the other hand, Sangjatseong, which can be found in the mid-mountainous area is partially damaged but still maintains its outline. It is expected that if it is preserved and managed properly, alongside the agricultural heritage of the Batdam, the value of the stone cultural heritage will be higher.

However, systematic research and evaluation is urgently needed since Sangjatseong is also at risk of being lost due to development in the mid-mountainous region..

[INTERVIEW]
Han Sang-bong / Author, ‘Jatseong of Jeju’
We need to begin with investigations using GPS.
"GPS를 이용해 조사하는 것도 우선 진행돼야..."

[reporter]
Joseph Kim

‘Jatseong’, Jeju’s ranching cultural heritage and the product of the blood and sweat of the ancient Jeju people, needs protection and conservation efforts before it is too late.

Joseph Kim KCTV