We’ve been talking recently about how Jeju’s coastal communities are changing, and today we will take a look at how the boom in development has affected Gueom-ri and Shineom-ri in Aewol-eup. Joseph Kim has more.

Along the coast on the western side of Jeju city, you can find the Aewol coastal road.

It passes through 5 villages, from Aewol-eup, Hagwi 2-ri to Gueom-ri, Shineom-ri, Gonae-ri and Aewol-ri.

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Area known for watermelons, cabbages, fishing

The coastal road cuts right through Gueom-ri and Shineom-ri villages.
People there have been growing watermelon and cabbage among other crops in their fields.

In the coastal area, fishing started well before the 1980s. Development of the coastal road and expansion of the harbor spurred changes, not only in the layout of coastal area but even more so in the characteristics of the villages.

Condominiums, guest houses, convenience stores and cafes are lined up along the coastal road. Compared to 10 years ago, the change has been dramatic as tourism takes a foothold.

Interview
Hyun Soon-hwa / Gueom-ri
There are new things to see, tour buses, and condominiums along the coastal road...
구경 안했던 것도 봐지고 관광차도 오고 해안도로 앞에 콘도도 들어서고...

Once only farming and fishing villages, now tourism plays a role in the local economy.

The stone salt farms in Gueom-ri is one of the good examples of tourism villages.

Interview
Song Yeong-min / Village chief, Gueom-ri
The tourism and logistics industries have been growing a lot, which means we don’t have to focus solely on farming and fishing.
산업구조를 보면, 관광·유통이 많이 불어나요. 그쪽으로 가야 먹고 사는데 지장이 없다는 얘기인데, 농수산만 계속 고집할 수 없잖아요.

Like many coastal villages, land prices in Gueom-ri and Shineom-ri are heating up.

There are almost no empty houses, because they have been remodeled for other uses.

Interview
Song Ok-yang / Gueom-ri
Before the condominiums were built here, it used to be 6,000 won per pyeong, but it is now over 1,500,000 won per pyeong around the condominiums. Things have changed a lot.
옛날에는 콘도 짓기 전만 해도 평당 6천 원 했는데 이제 콘도 주변에는 150만 원 이상 줘야 삽니다. 많아 달라졌습니다.

[REPORTER]
Joseph Kim

More and more people are moving in from other regions. Anywhere from 5 to 20 relocation reports on average are filed per week.

Features of villages and members of communities are changing in Aewol-eup, Gueom-ri and Shineom-ri. But the efforts made by villagers in this situation can serve as a good role model for other villages.

Interview
Song Yeong-min / Village chief, Gueom-ri
I hope this community flourishes. Not just for this generation, but for many to come.
< 송영민 / 애월읍 구엄리 어촌계장 >
마을 공동체가 깨지지 않고, 우리만 살 게 아니고 2세들한테 물려줘야 하잖아요. 공동체가 그대로 가서 2세든, 조카든, 후세들이 와서
///
살고 싶은 마을을 만드는 게 제 꿈이에요.

Joseph Kim KCTV