Jeju has historically important structures to go along with its natural attributes. Seogwipo is seeking to make use of some them with a trial architecture tour. Mike Balfour reports.
[slug] Altteureu Airfield in Seogwipo

This is the (알뜨르) Altteureu Airfield, an area in Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo.
Altteureu was once an airfield used by Japanese forces.

Hangars built in the 1920s remain, a sad reminder of the history of military occupation.
It was used as a launching site for air attacks on China in the final months of World War 2.

Despite the beautiful backdrop of mountain and oreums, the military infrastructure represents a painful history.

[slug]
Trial architecture tour at Altteureu Airfield

Construction of the facility was carried out in a large part by the forced labor of Jeju people.

Among members of the pilot tour group are architects, travel writers and tour business insiders.

Kim Tae-il / Professor of architecture, JNU
This is Seogwipo's premier historic site. The Japanese headquarters structure, the control tower, and 19 concrete hangars still remain almost intact.
< 김태일 / 제주대 건축학부 교수 >
여기가 서귀포의 대표적인 역사경관 지역인데 사령부, 관제소, 19개의 격납고가 굉장히 잘 남아 있는 곳입니다.

The itinerary of the pilot architecture tour includes historical structures. .

Dozens of buildings designed by famous architects and the island's traditional houses are also parts of the itinerary.

Seogwipo City has designed the architecture tour to diversify its tourism.

Lee Dong-won / Korea Tour Development Research Center
I believe that hidden structures on the island against the backdrop of Jeju's nature more than merit new tour products.
< 이동원 / 한국관광개발연구원 대표 >
숨어 있는 건축물들이 역사와 제주의 자연환경 속에서 같이 어우러지는 모습이 새로운 상품으로 충분하다고 생각됩니다.

Seogwipo City is developing the architecture itinerary and will include more sites based on the results of the trial.

Hyeon Eul-saeng / Seogwipo mayor
We will develop itineraries from the architecture tour and add interesting sites, representing the island’s culture and history, to them.
< 현을생 / 서귀포시장 >
첫 나들이를 시작으로 점차 보완·발전시켜 나가면서 제주의 훌륭한 문화관광 상품으로 자리매김할 수 있도록 노력해 나가겠습니다.

[camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

[REPORTER] Mike Balfour

Seogwipo City hopes that this new theme in tourism will take off with visitors to the island.

Mike Balfour KCTV