Nature and Future Lies in Jeju
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Jeju ― the island, once with moniker ``Samda'' (``three abundants'' ― water, rocks and women), now has much more to take pride in.
The island in ― the southernmost part of Korean territory ― is now designated as a special self-governing province and is willing to take risks to put Korea on the map through challenges and innovation.
Marking its three-year anniversary as a self-governing province in July, the local administration is to adopt more autonomy and foster competition in the local economy.
ASEAN- Stepping Stone
The local administration expects that the hosting of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit will be a steppingstone for fellow Asian countries to acknowledge the beauty and charm of the island.
Having beaten several Asian countries and some domestic rivals such as Seoul and Busan in the bidding process, the administration is more enthusiastic than ever. ``Come and see what the island has to offer,'' Governor Kim Tae-hwan said.
Nature Meets Good People
For many Koreans, Jeju has long been the ideal place to spend their summer vacation or honeymoon. More than 5.8 million people visit there every year, and the province expects more to come this year.
Tourism is the No.1. industry in the region and there are very good reasons for it.
UNESCO has listed Jeju Island and its lava tubes as a World Natural Heritage. Various rare creatures still inhabit the tubes and tourists can experience what time can do to nature ― odd-looking stalactites and pristine water.
According to the provincial government, the number of foreign visitors to the place skyrocketed to 308,000 in 2008, after the designation, from 253,000 in 2007.
Geomun Oreum lava tubes bring fresh air to people who think Korea is over developed, as do original virgin forests from the Cenozoic Era.
Seongsan Inchulbong proves that Jeju was once an active volcanic area. Mt. Halla is the highest mountain in South Korea and was also created through volcanic activity. It is classified as dormant and thrills hundreds of hikers.
Want Some Fun?
The whole island of Jeju is, on the other hand, a resort. There are many golf courses on the island, because the local government gave tax benefits to the owners, and more people are enjoying the mild weather and well-managed lawns.
Joining hands with both European and American Professional Golf Association to host various tournaments for promotion, the number of golf lovers visiting the island jumped by 20 percent last year, according to the administration.
Horseback riding, swimming, surfing, water skiing and other leisure activities are also available all over the island while a submarine allows tourists to see undersea life.
Jeju is also a place to enjoy all seasonal fruits as well as some tropical ones. Pineapples, tangerine and banana farms welcome tourists to not only buy the fruits but also pick them.
Tangerines, which were considered rare about 40 years ago, are now one of the most abundant cherished fruits there. Various products containing the fruit ― from marmalade to chocolate, alcohol, perfume and others ― gives a mouthwatering experience to tourists at local souvenir shops and duty free stores.
Going Central
Jeju is also planning on becoming an industrialized, modern and ``central'' post of the nation when it comes to the economy.
A strategic naval base being built there will also service cruise liners.
The controversial project ― due to some residents' opposition ― is expected to cost 950 billion won and will be constructed on 530,000 square meters of land adjacent to Gangjeong Village in the southern part of the island.
``It will create thousands of new temporary jobs,'' Governor Kim said. ``And will also refurbish the port system we have,'' he added.
The Jeju Free International City project was established in 2002, to induce foreign investors seeking less regulations and more risky but innovative businesses.
Some of the most controversial plans such as establishing an English speaking city, capital driven hospitals, report complex and others are under way waiting for the whole world to see whether it could fit into Korea in a whole.
With more than 2.6 trillion won in foreign investment confirmed in eight fields ― about 21 billion won is already fixed the for information technology and biotechnology sectors ― the province is ready to fly.
``I am confident to say Jeju will change Korea in 20 years,'' an administration official said.
• Jeju Island is 1,848.3 square-kilometers in area and has about 600,000 residents. • Jeju marks an average 872.5 milliliters of annual rainfall, but Seogwipo City has 1,390.6 milliliters. • Jeju is the far southern part of the Korean territory and its average temperature is 16.2 degrees Celsius, much higher than any other part of the country. • Jeju Island is a volcanic island. Except for a very small amount of grasslands, the island is consisted of whinstone and other igneous rocks. • Jeju is famous for specialized farming. With abundant sunshine, water and warm weather, tangerines, pineapples as well as other tropical fruits are grown. Rape flower, shiitake mushrooms and other specialties are grown too. • Jeju is famous for ponies. When Mongolian troops invaded the island more than a 1,000 years ago, they brought ponies with them, experts say. There is a proverb ``Send your son to Seoul for studying and your horse to Jeju for training.'' • Jeju has ``three abundants'': rocks, women and water • Jeju has ``three noes'': thieves, gates and beggars. • Jeju has a unique dialect. It keeps the form of the old Korean language spoken more than six centuries ago. The country's second largest Web portal has a special page for Jeju (jeju.daum.net), where Jeju citizens can use their own dialect, keeping their secrets from users in other regions.
• Jeju Island is 1,848.3 square-kilometers in area and has about 600,000 residents. • Jeju marks an average 872.5 milliliters of annual rainfall, but Seogwipo City has 1,390.6 milliliters. • Jeju is the far southern part of the Korean territory and its average temperature is 16.2 degrees Celsius, much higher than any other part of the country. • Jeju Island is a volcanic island. Except for a very small amount of grasslands, the island is consisted of whinstone and other igneous rocks. • Jeju is famous for specialized farming. With abundant sunshine, water and warm weather, tangerines, pineapples as well as other tropical fruits are grown. Rape flower, shiitake mushrooms and other specialties are grown too. • Jeju is famous for ponies. When Mongolian troops invaded the island more than a 1,000 years ago, they brought ponies with them, experts say. There is a proverb ``Send your son to Seoul for studying and your horse to Jeju for training.'' • Jeju has ``three abundants'': rocks, women and water • Jeju has ``three noes'': thieves, gates and beggars. • Jeju has a unique dialect. It keeps the form of the old Korean language spoken more than six centuries ago. The country's second largest Web portal has a special page for Jeju (jeju.daum.net), where Jeju citizens can use their own dialect, keeping their secrets from users in other regions.