Recently, we have been covering the changes in Jeju’s coastal communities, and today we will take a look at how the boom in development has affected the region between Aewol harbor and Gwakji beach in Aewol-eup. As Joseph Kim now reports, it is not hard to notice changes in Handam-dong.

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LNG terminals under construction at Aewol harbor

Along the coast on the western side of Jeju city, you can find a long concrete structure.

It is a breakwater built in 2010, when the LNG receiving terminals project started.

With a targeted completion date of 2017, construction work for the LNG receiving terminals is on going.

Turning a bit west from the Aewol harbor, you can find yourself in Aewol-ri, Handam-dong.

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Handam-dong real estate market heats up in 1980s

It is one of the most scenic landscapes among the coastal areas of Jeju. Like other picturesque regions, real estate investors have shown great interest in Handam-dong.

Development and real estate investment speculation began back in 1980, and has gradually changed the face of the village. With the exception of a couple homes, several cafes, pensions and guesthouses now line the streets.


INTERVIEW
Lee Gyeong-hee / Village chief, Aewol-ri
New buildings are under construction on a daily basis. We don’t know who has moved in because things change so fast. If you look here, you can see coffee shops, pensions, and guesthouses.
“하룻밤 새고 나면 건물이 하나씩 들어서잖아요 지금. 누가 들어온 건지도 잘 몰라요. 불쑥불쑥 신축 건물들이 들어서니까...
/// 보세요, 여기도 다 커피숍하면서도 펜션, 게스트하우스하고 있고…”

It’s been only a couple of years since the gentrification of this area.

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Big changes in recent years

The boom in the real estate investment market drew people to settle down in these coastal villages. Since they move in and out so frequently, it is hard to keep track of the population.

INTERVIEW
Lee Gyeong-hee / Village chief, Aewol-ri
Only one original family still lives there while the rest have sold their land and moved out. We used to agree on expanding the road as a community, but it is impossible these days…
< 이경희 / 애월읍 애월리장 >
원주민들은 다 나오고 한 가구만 살아 있고, 나머지는 다 팔아서 나온 상태에요. (예전에는) 도로를 넓히자 확장하자 하면 서로 공동체에서 ///
내놓아서 했는데 지금은 할 수가 없는 그런 상황이 됐죠...

Kang Myeong-ja, has been living in Aewol-eup, Handam-dong for 53 years since she got married. There used to be more than 20 families, but now she is the only person who is still living there after other villagers moved out.

She enjoys welcoming tourists and giving directions to travelers, but these changes are strange and not easy for her to accept.

INTERVIEW
Kang Myung-ja / Handam-dong resident
I’m the only Jeju person and I have no place to live but here. Old villagers made this a good place to live but after the price of land soared, they all moved out and I have been left alone.
< 강명자 / 애월리 한담동 >
제주도 사람은 나 혼자 뿐이니까 다른데 가려해도 갈 데도 없지만
옛날 사람들이 살기 좋게 만들어 놓고 이제 땅값도 좀 주겠다 싶으니까 ///
땅을 팔고 다 나가 버려서 이젠 나 혼자만 여기 있지…

[REPORTER]
Joseph Kim

Not only the landscape but also the faces of the people residing near the Aewol harbor, Handam-dong and Gwakji-ri have changed along with the face of the coastline.

Joseph Kim KCTV