Jeju’s “haenyeo,” or female sea divers have been designated as Korea’s first Nationally Important Marine Heritage. This means systematic plans will be drawn up and implemented in order to preserve and manage their unique customs. Joseph Kim reports.
Jeju haenyeo… or female sea divers represent a way of life for the generations of locals who have called the island home. They take only what the sea offers them, one long breath at a time.

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‘Haenyeo’ designated Nationally Important Marine Heritage

Now they have been designated Korea’s first Nationally Important Marine Heritage.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries made the announcement on Wednesday (December 16th) after a final meeting between members of the Ministry’s deliberation committee.

[camera]
Kim Seung-cheol

Jeju haenyeo scored high in the Ministry’s evaluation of its global scarcity and unique communal culture… as well as its high value in the industries of culture and tourism.

INTERVIEW
Kim Woo-nam / National Assembly lawmaker
Haenyeo have their own unique culture and have played a pivotal part in shaping the local lifestyle. Their pioneering spirit, desire to delve into the unknown, and their sacrifice as mothers ? all of these traits were highly evaluated.
<인터뷰 : 김우남 국회의원>
"해녀는 문화를 형성하고 있고 제주도민의 삶에 결정적인 영향을 미쳤고 불굴의 개척정신, 도전정신, 어머니의 희생정신. 이러한 정신적 가치가 높이 평가되어서. "

The designation means systematic plans will be set from next year to preserve and manage the culture of Jeju’s haenyeo.

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Next goals: Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO),
Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (FAO)

The next goal is to get the Jeju haenyeo on UNESCO’s list designated Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the 2017 list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems... under the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

INTERVIEW
Yang Hee-beom / Provincial dept. of fisheries policy
Next year we will begin planning ways to preserve and manage Jeju haenyeo and draw up a five-year plan with the fisheries ministry. We will also expand protection of them and their way of life and further support their businesses.
<인터뷰 : 양희범 / 제주도 수산정책과장>
"내년에 보전관리계획을 수립하고 해양수산부와 함께 국가중요어업유산 관리보전 5개년 계획을 수립해서 해녀의 권익보호와 소득사업 지원을 -----수퍼체인지-----
확대할 계획입니다."

[reporter]
Joseph Kim

Korea’s first Nationally Important Marine Heritage. Now that Jeju’s female sea divers have been recognized domestically for their worth, we look forward to seeing the haenyeo continue to receive recognition on the international stage in the near future.

Joseph Kim KCTV