A thick mass of dark brown seaweed known as Sargassum horneri is seen coating the black volcanic rocks along the coast of Sinheung-ri in Jocheon-eup Plastic bottles with Chinese characters are seen tangled among a thick mass of dark brown seaweed known as Sargassum horneri coating the black volcanic rocks along the coast of Sinheung-ri in Jocheon-eup Jeju City officials are seen clearing away seaweed at Iho Beach in Jeju on May 7 “The leaves of palm trees continue to grow as they develop I saw that new leaves were emerging over the older ones that had grown into a fan shape what do the old leaves of the past signify and what are the new leaves we have today?” Such thoughts flooded the mind of Svetlana Alexievich as she encountered a palm tree when arriving at Jeju International Airport on Monday who was in Jeju to accept the Jeju 4·3 Peace Prize “The leaves that have amassed over time signify memories We need to remember and hold on to our past so that when we face great evil we do not face it alone but with the power of the people.” A journalist by training Alexievich has documented the testimonies of women soldiers and families of the deceased of WWII and the Soviet-Afghan War in works such as “The Unwomanly Face of War,” “Last Witnesses,” “Zinky Boys,” and “Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster.” By blurring the boundaries of history unique genre of “oral novels,” receiving the Nobel Prize in literature in 2015 “When I see how US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are attempting to join forces to flaunt their influence on the world I am hypnotized into believing that ‘evil is currently taking over the world,’” Alexievich stated during the press conference for Jeju 4·3 Peace Prize winners held at a hotel in downtown Jeju voicing her concerns about democracy being overwhelmed by evil she continues to follow the news in her home country of Belarus which is being used as a base for Russian military operations in its war with Ukraine What she read daily made her feel helpless after witnessing how South Korea overcame the insurrection attempt on Dec she once again felt the belief that “democracy does have the power of resistance — it can stand up to injustice.”  we need to latch onto civil resistance and share that with our fellow citizens,” she commented While the entire world may be facing an era of rampant violence and hate instigated by the far right Alexievich urged people to “ask ourselves whether we are resigning ourselves and giving up too easily when confronted with evil.” The only lifeline is but taking a step back to make judgments and think for ourselves.”  She emphasized the importance of living lives that do not succumb to evil During the Belarusian protests in 2020 to 2021 where Belarusians spoke out against authoritarian rule Alexievich joined her fellow country people in the streets despite being more than 70 years old at the time turned on the television and sipped my morning coffee I saw a news report stating that Russian bombings have killed 19 civilians we ought to evoke the spirit of resistance that defies these monstrosities,” she bade her fellow citizens Resistance should be directed inward as well as outward “If I feel strangely placid in the face of horrific news when I was so shocked by such abominations the day before We must remember to take care of ourselves while participating in the resistance.” who has devoted her life to telling the stories of civil resistance also recalled the painful history of the people of Jeju who were killed during the April 4 Incident when they protested injustice in the wake of liberation at the end of WWII The writer said that she first learned of the “Red Island” of Jeju stigmatized as an “island of commies,” from a Korean writer she met when she first visited the country in 2019 “Jeju Island is an island full of mythology that carries with it the spirit of ardent protest,” she said “Such a spirit of protest is indispensable to us today I’ve come to Jeju to search for answers as to how to develop that spirit and how to fight evil in all its wily ways as a writer.” After being honored with the Jeju 4·3 Peace Prize on Wednesday Alexievich visited the Jeju 4·3 Peace Park to pay her respects to those killed in the April 3 Incident she held a book talk at the Museum of Jeju Literature Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr] There are common circumstances and questions we might ask of our sister state beyond exchanges of educators and government leaders Jim Shon was a Peace Corps Volunteer on Jeju Island from 1970-1973 He taught English to 280 middle school students each day for two years and then worked at the Jeju Board of Education conducting workshops Shon later studied Korean history at the University of Hawaii he initiated Hawaii’s Sister-State Relationship with Jeju which has a sister-state relationship with Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke visited Jeju Island — South Korea’s largest island — in August of this year with a delegation that included Jimmy Tokioka the director of the state Department of Business and executives from Hawaii Tourism Authority and the travel industry was to strengthen relationships and create opportunities for collaboration between Hawaii and the Republic of Korea including Jeju, fostering cooperation in tourism and promoting mutual goodwill under the theme of “Island Connections: Reimagining Tourism.” I am interested in the future of the island how it plans and copes with carrying capacity and want to share my experiences with Jeju I believe in the importance of international cross-cultural knowledge and strongly support Hawaii’s sister-state programs The Sister-State Program was created in order to advise the governor and the Legislature on matters relating to sister-state or province relations and relations between the state and the states or provinces of foreign countries Hawaii lists 20 sister-state or provincial relationships There are many activities associated with sister states that are ongoing but not necessarily well-known or frequently reported in the media We are much more international than many would suspect I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Jeju in the 1970s The island is so massively changed and developed with hotels and tall condos and new business districts that it is almost unrecognizable from that time.  There is a fairly new high-tech research and education hub with a hotel and four independent elite international high schools as part of the complex Environmentalists are not so happy with the extensive land-use development Others see it as a new education and technology niche for Jeju’s future A tourist-oriented tea farm draws rave reviews Well-developed hiking trails and beaches connect visitors with Jeju’s natural beauty along with high-end hotels and other amenities says: Jeju has arrived is off the southern coast of the Korean mainland and with its moderate climate and beaches is sometimes referred to as the Hawaii of the East (Note: Earlier Romanization systems spelled the Island Cheju This was later changed by Korean linguists to Jeju.) For many hundreds of years Jeju was the independent kingdom of Tamna including during the time when the Mongols briefly colonized Korea and used the island to raise horses During the Joseon or Yi Dynasty (1392-1910) losers in Seoul competing power faction conflicts were often exiles to Jeju Japan occupied all of Korea from 1910 to 1945 Sixty-eight years ago Jeju was given independent provincial status by the Korean national government.  My host family during my Peace Corps days in the early ’70s (1970-mid 1973) was exiled to Jeju about the year 1500 There was thus a constant mixture of indigenous residents pirates from Japan and later holdovers from when Japan colonized Korea for 35 years (1910-1945) and families from various sections of the Korean mainland including North Korea violent conflicts erupted pitting locals versus Seoul armies that resulted in over 30,000 deaths and destruction of many rural villages A prominent Buddhist temple was the site of major battles.  The Korean government has just created a special working unit to examine so-called “depopulation.” the population of Jeju ages zero to 9 was 58,901 This decrease presumably reflected fewer births We see a similar decrease in the 20-29 age group from 86,681 to 84,016 The number of young families having children and birth rates are going down Japan is also very concerned about this imbalance in population age groups the years 2016 and 2017 saw the most overall tourists (15,852,980 in 2016) as well as foreign tourists (3,603,021) Of special note were the over 3 million from China (85% of all foreign visitors) who were also investing heavily in casinos (there are eight on the island) and hotels many of the road and street signs are not only in Korean but include the Chinese characters This reflects the importance of the economic impacts of visitors from China at that time in 2022 this influx had shrunk to less than 10,000 per year Jeju has experienced dramatic fluctuations in both numbers and sources of visitors and outside investment These wide swings must have had parallel impacts in foreign investment and expenditure on the island’s economy.  Immediately following the signing of a sister-state pact with Jeju in the 1980s Jeju Korean and Hawaii leaders facilitated a series of significant meetings in Hawaii and Jeju with conferences focusing on promoting Jeju as an island of peace Below is a photo of panelists and honored guests in a 1995 Globalization Conference There are obvious common circumstances and questions we might ask as to why we should care about sister-state relationships beyond exchanges of educators and government leaders The earliest common threads for many of our sister states include our common challenges and government strategies to cope with the impacts of climate change Jeju found its coastal roads were located too close to the shoreline Additional wave barriers are being installed along the coast An iconic lava rock formation known as Dragon Head Rock This year Korean temperatures were higher than normal and this negatively impacted the growth of some vegetables All share a heavy economic dependence on tourism and an initial kind of one-sided Big Brother source of support from the U.S for those that were much poorer and welcomed advice on economic
development the enjoyment and value of getting to know the homelands and cultures of Hawaii’s immigrant roots stimulated interests Hawaii’s post World War II political establishment was driven by generations of immigrants from Japan Many were created before the power of the internet and expansion of jet travel to learn more about the world In Hawaii we could see a broader educational benefit of getting to know the world beyond our shores the University of Hawaii no longer requires any history courses to graduate is tourism development still a relevant or needed topic of interest Do we or others such as Jeju really want more than 10 or 15 million visitors more sustainable and climate responsible future We have a lot to learn from our Asian neighbors Does Hawaii still aspire to some form of technological or economic leadership among island nations in Asia and the Pacific Perhaps this is as much a role for the University of Hawaii and the East-West Center as the tourist bureau Rather than being the source of support for others are there innovations and programs of our sister states that we could learn and benefit from Major investments in Jeju from the private sector could be of interest Do the historical developments and megatrends of our sister states offer objective indicators of where Hawaii may be headed and should we pay attention to these trends in creating our own policies and programs Jeju is increasingly proud of its premodern history and has refurbished a number of ancient traditional structures in the central part of Jeju City where there are regular performances of Yi Dynasty military rites and local oral dramas geared to tourists Jeju has developed a wide range of tourist related attractions and very much oriented toward those who want to experience nature Public facilities are generally better maintained and cleaner than those on Oahu I have been in contact with local officials about what Hawaii can learn from Jeju we hope that Jeju and Hawaii will continue to collaborate in both tourism and environmental areas identifying effective policies and outcomes for our shared prosperity,” Kim Hee Chan director of the Tourism Exchange Bureau for Jeju Special Self-Governing Province As one Hawaii state senator recently noted “We have a lot to catch up with in terms of the cleanliness and upkeep of public facilities Your comments match those of many who have pointed out that Japanese train stations and other Asian economies seem to take better care of their facilities and transportation infrastructure than we do in Hawaii …” Honolulu Civil Beat is a nonprofit organization and your donation helps us produce local reporting that serves all of Hawaii Ideas is the place you'll find essays, analysis and opinion on public affairs in Hawaiʻi. We want to showcase smart ideas about the future of Hawaiʻi, from the state's sharpest thinkers, to stretch our collective thinking about a problem or an issue. Email news@civilbeat.org to submit an idea Sign up for our FREE morning newsletter and face each day more informed The Sister Cities Program was created to be a network that would champion peace and prosperity by creating and maintaining bonds between people from different communities worldwide citizens – not just politicians and diplomats – can help to strive for a world where different cultures can understand appreciate and celebrate their differences while building new partnerships The City of Lexington has four Sister Cities and one Friendship City: © 2025 Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government 200 E. Main St.Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 425-2255 Korea.net hosts networking event for Honorary Reporters Accord with Japan to protect both nations' people abroad A bilateral agreement with Japan will bolster cooperation in protecting the nationals of both nations abroad Click here to read more about the latest summit between leaders of both countries Talks with NZ seek to upgrade ties to strategic partnership Korea and New Zealand have agreed to advance talks on elevating the bilateral Partnership for the 21st Century concluded Korea and New Zealand have agreed to advance talks on elevating the bilateral Partnership for the 21st Century concluded in 2006 to a comprehensive strategic partnership Mixed boccia pair to face Hong Kong for Paralympic gold the Jeong-Kang pair will face in the final Hong Kong in mixed pair BC3 boccia 🌕 S-Tier food for Chuseok 🌕 | K-Cuisine Relay | Ep.28 Galbijjim & Samsaeknamul “Reading is so sexy!” — Headlined by The Guardian (UK)　| Balance Talk | Ep Korean German architect in Seoul seeks to innovate Hanok Grassroots group seeks to clean up trash from Jeju waters Polish capital hosts Korean cultural event at Breakfast Market Hanbok-clad children play traditional games President Yoon attends opening of Cyber Summit Korea Descendants of Korean War veterans attend event in Incheon Multicultural families attend Chuseok event Address by President Yoon Suk Yeol on the 79th Liberation Day Keynote Address by President Yoon Suk Yeol at the NATO Public Forum K-pop management innovation changes global music industry Korea-French friendship to drive future partnership Denmark's digital strategy to preserve global democracy 10th workshop of European Association for Korean Language Education (EAKLE) PNP launches TOP COP special class to enhance tourist safety K-Culture Extravaganza Lights Up Jozi: Korean Cultural Centre Unveils ‘Travelling Korea’ Korean Restaurant to open soon in Abuja-Envoy Jusung Gabriel Park & Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra Production Design: Scene Architects Build On-Screen Worlds A memorial service for the victims of the 4.3 Incident was held at Jeju 4.3 Peace Park on the southern island of Jeju on Thursday The 4·3 Incident refers to a series of civilian massacres that took place on the island from 1947 to 1954 amid South Korea's dark period of extreme ideological clashes and confusion following the end of Japan's colonialization of the country Hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and organized by Jeju Province including surviving victims and bereaved families Lee Jae-myung leads in hypothetical three-way race with Han Duck-soo the presidential candidate of South Korea’s main liberal Democratic Party holds a lead in a potential three-way race for the country’s next election 15% of Korean wage workers have flexible work schedules: data Respect wanes: Teaching no longer highly coveted job in S South Koreans get creative with Parents’ Day gifts Costco’s steep membership hike tests loyalty of Korean shoppers Lexington Sister Cities connects our city with international cities to promote cultural understanding The Lexington Sister Cities Commission is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering global relationships through cultural exchange We proudly manage partnerships with our four Sister Cities and one Friendship City Sister Cities International ranked Lexington Sister Cities “Best Overall Program” in 2024 The tournament includes the longest drive and closest-to-the-hole competitions The Young Artist & Authors Showcase (YAAS) is an annual art contest that encourages youth worldwide to express the mission of Sister Cities through original artwork We have selected winners for the 2025 showcase Local clean-up crews from Jeju City collect large amounts of seaweed washed ashore at Iho Beach in Jeju on April 16 A plane takes off through a snowstorm at Jeju International Airport in Jeju on Feb A double rainbow appears over the sea near Tapdong-ro in Jeju City on Tuesday afternoon after rain fell in the area According to the Korea Meteorological Administration Jeju Island received 2.6 millimeters (0.1 inches) of rain on the same day People take photos of a double rainbow appearing over the sea near Tapdong-ro in Jeju City on Tuesday afternoon after rain fell in the area Police are investigating the possibility that a Chinese murder at a hotel in Jeju City may have occurred during a cryptocurrency exchange transaction According to the Jeju Western Police Station on the 25th police are investigating four Chinese people They are accused of killing a Chinese man in his 30s in a luxury hotel room in Jeju City A was found by the police who were dispatched after receiving a report from an acquaintance at 5:10 p.m "It's strange that an acquaintance who went to buy virtual currency has not been contacted A was stabbed several times and died bleeding One of the suspects (a woman in her 30s) turned himself in at 5:15 p.m. were then arrested by police at Jeju International Airport while trying to leave the country A Chinese man in his 60s was also urgently arrested at a hotel casino The police confirmed that the four ran away with 85 million won of victim A's money and are investigating the exact motive and circumstances of the crime Police believe that a Chinese woman in her 30s who turned herself in may be the main culprit the investigation is currently underway with all possibilities open including whether he committed the crime during the cryptocurrency exchange transaction process It is known that they all visited Jeju on tourist visas and were not illegal residents crimes related to cryptocurrency transactions have continued with a group of Chinese people arrested for stealing 840 million won worth of cryptocurrency from a hotel in Jeju last month ※ This service is provided by machine translation tool A field near Jeju City is full of cabbage in this photo from March 12 Asia Fatima Al MahmoudJejuApril 04 The Kim Tschang-Yeul Art Museum in Jeoji Artists' Village on Jeju Island [KIM TSCHANG-YEUL ART MUSEUM] The inside of the Kim Tschang-Yeul Art Museum in Jeoji Artists' Village on Jeju Island Here shows a glass water droplet sculpture by Kim Tschang-yeul ″Water drops″ (1984) by Kim Tschang-yeul [SHIN MIN-HEE] "Three Gods" (2016) by Kim Tschang-yeul [KIM TSCHANG-YEUL ART MUSEUM] Itami Jun Museum in Jeoji Artists' Village on Jeju Island [KIM YONG-KWAN] The inside of the Itami Jun Museum in Jeoji Artists' Village on Jeju Island [KIM YONG-KWAN] Stone" (1992) by Jun Itami on view at the "Voyage to the Origin" exhibition at the Itami Jun Museum in Jeoji Artists' Village on Jeju Island [ITAMI JUN MUSEUM] Park Seo-bo's house in Jeoji Artists' Village on Jeju Island [SCREEN CAPTURE] Feng Studio in the Jeoji Artists' Village on Jeju Island [JOONGANG DB] The inside of Feng Studio in Jeoji Artists' Village on Jeju Island in 2014 [JOONGANG DB] The Jeju Tourism Organization has curated a selection of iconic travel spots on Jeju Island where holidaymakers can take in the unique winter ambiance and enjoy a memorable travel experience Ranging from scenic views of nature to hands-on activities these destinations will delight even the pickiest travelers allowing them to explore the island without even noticing a chill in the air No trip to Jeju is complete without a visit to Hallasan the highest mountain in all of South Korea Although Hallasan is an outstanding destination for an immersive hiking experience any time of the year its winter scenery has an unparalleled charm The snow-covered mountain offers breathtaking vistas at almost every turn Hikers can witness the frozen beauty of flowers and fields of snow along the way to the mountain's peak and visitors of all ages can spend time nearby having snowball fights and making snowmen Jeju’s provincial government and Hallasan National Park are permitting a greater number of hikers on two other Hallasan mountain trails -- Gwaneumsa Trail and Seongpanak Trail -- to enable more visitors to experience the iconic mountain in winter the park will not require online reservations or a QR code to hike Hallasan the Hallasan Snowflower Bus will serve hikers moving to and from Jeju City Bus Terminal and the entrance of Youngsil Trail -- another popular hiking course If you're looking for a Christmas atmosphere visit the island’s many coffee shops decked out for the holidays and offering guests a heartwarming winter vibe offers tourists a cozy break by the fireplace The cafe showcases and eclectic range of items lanterns and antique teapots to acoustic guitars fruit drinks and a full range of espresso drinks But it also offers a chance to window shop for fashionable clothes which is located in Jeju City on the island's north side Another unique destination is a cafe called If Today Is Christmas photo zones and interior design are made to bring out the holiday vibe to the fullest Visitors are free to take pictures in parts of the cafe which also takes reservations for the entire space for special occasions and photo shoots The cafe has become a popular spot not only for couples but also for dog owners thanks to its dog-friendly policy If Today Is Christmas is open every day from 10 a.m but make sure to check its Instagram in case there's an unexpected day off Just as popular as tangerine-picking in the warmer months an exciting activity for winter is horseback riding vacationers can learn about Jeju’s horse culture in an exciting but approachable way Its facilities include the Jeju Horse Museum guests can explore the park on the 1.2-kilometer basic course or the 2.5-kilometer and 3.5-kilometer grassland courses there is also a special 13-kilometer course for riding with an instructor You can get to know your horse and try caring for it via brushing While the horse feeding program costs 3,000 won ($2.12) the prices for the horseback riding courses vary from 12,000 won to 50,000 won depending on track length One hour-long horse experience program is priced at 100,000 won The Korea Herald by Herald CorporationCopyright Herald Corporation Performers perform during a haenyeo-themed show at the 11th Jeju International Cruise Forum at the Maison Glad Jeju in Yeongdong Haenyeo ride a device transporting seafood on a trial run in Ilgwa-ri holds hands with haenyeo representatives at a meeting to launch a national association of haenyeo at Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Government building on June 26 [JEJU SPECIAL SELF-GOVERNING PROVINCIAL OFFICE] Demand for overseas travel in Korea has doubled ahead of the Golden Week holiday in May TripCom announced on the 25th that domestic travel demand increased 189 percent year-on-year ahead of the golden holiday in May Hotel reservations showed the highest growth Jeju City and Busan City are the most popular destinations for Koreans based on accommodation reservations is attracting attention by newly entering the top 10 1 in areas where foreign tourists prefer accommodation reservations What stands out is the advancement of Busan Busan has gained popularity as it ranked second which has been under controversy over the rip-off of KRW 25,000 for six pieces of sundae and KRW 100,000 braised hairtail This is a result of reflecting the trend of spreading foreign interest across the country TripCom believes that the increased use of train reservation functions has improved regional accessibility and Seoul-Gyeongju routes were found to have high utilization rates and Myeongdong Nanta are popular with overseas travelers such as Haeundae Blue Line Park and Songdo Maritime Cable Cars which overlaps with the holidays in Japan and China as well as Korea," said Hong Jong-min "We were able to confirm the interest of domestic and overseas travelers in Korea." Jeju Local Tea House Recovery House will present "Jeju Wellness Premium Travel." "Jeju Wellness Premium Travel" is a local travel package that combines three experiences of tasting premium tea courses and making handmade yokang with local ingredients The package was organized by local teams gathered to support the commercial district of Jeju along with Naver's Happy Bean "Shall We Go?" Unlike existing travel products centered on Jeju City it contains aspirations to see and feel Seogwipo anew while introducing a sustainable Jeju trip that blends nature and local "Jeju Wellness Premium Travel" runs for about 4 hours every Thursday and it will be held at a 30% discount for a month in May The trip begins with a breakfast made with Jeju local ingredients It consists of soup made from Jeju field crops udo peanut tofu bread and two kinds of handmade spreads The following schedule is 'Premium Tea Care Set' the representative program of the Reclamation House It is operated alone in the collection rooftop room without moving to a location "Premium tea-tasting" is a private tea tasting program that offers Jeju leaf tea and flower tea grown in Jeju tea fields by eco-friendly farming methods The entire tea course is conducted directly with the description of the tea in the recovery hall Some dasik and tea are served in Jeju Onggi a traditional porcelain made of Jeju volcanic soil Participants can enjoy the aesthetics of slowness and silence that are easy to miss in a busy daily life by focusing on tea and dasik in a quiet space a calm walk time at Seogwipo Natural Recreation Forest follows Seogwipo Natural Recreation Forest is a representative healing spot where you can feel the green forest path Along with a simple guide from a professional forest commentator enjoy a forest drive for about 10 minutes along the vehicle circulation path and climb along wooden decks and low stairs for about 15 minutes to hear a commentary on Seogwipo Forest you will have the experience of making your own yokang that you tasted in the recovery hall traditionally used as medicinal and tea ingredients for traditional Jeju-made citrus "Dengyuji (Dengyuja)" and Sosodang make red bean paste directly from Sosodang "I recommend it to those who dream of a mother-daughter trip where mothers and daughters sit face to face with each other and share their hearts with a cup of tea or a special friendship trip where they walk in nature with special friends or acquaintances and make memories." is named after the old place name "Doraemul," which means "where the water flows." It was selected as a Jeju wellness tourist destination in 2024 Jeju Island Launches South Korea’s First Commercial Green Hydrogen Sales 30 (Korea Bizwire) – Jeju Island announced on October 30 that it will begin the nation’s first commercial sales of green hydrogen at the Hamdeok Green Hydrogen Station in Hamdeok-ri The fuel will be available for hydrogen-powered passenger cars and buses produced by splitting water through electrolysis using renewable energy power is considered a clean hydrogen source as it generates zero carbon emissions during production The retail price has been set at 15,000 won per kg (including VAT) green hydrogen costs approximately 679 won per kilometer making it more expensive than diesel (642 won) and electricity (316 won) The Jeju Hydrogen Economy Committee determined the price after considering production and supply costs While green hydrogen currently exceeds fossil fuel prices the committee projects that expanding markets and technological advances will gradually lower both production costs and retail prices Jeju Island has a total of 58 hydrogen vehicles registered and 45 passenger cars (10 government-owned and 35 privately owned) The provincial government expects this number to increase to 450 vehicles by 2030 The launch of Korea’s first commercial green hydrogen sales marks a significant milestone in Jeju’s transition to a hydrogen economy “We aim to simultaneously achieve carbon neutrality and create jobs for local residents by establishing a hydrogen industry ecosystem that encompasses clean energy production Jeju has been producing 600kg of green hydrogen daily at its Haengwon Green Hydrogen Production Base in Gujwa-eup using power generated from a nearby wind farm This facility was the first of its kind in South Korea.Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com) READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central Jeju Island Launches South Korea’s First Commercial Green Hydrogen Sales, source OMV Eye Green Hydrogen Partnership This article was first published on Rigzone here OMV AG and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co PJSC (Masdar) have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on producing renewable power.. Oman launches 3rd auction round for green hydrogen projects in Duqm area – These projects powered by more than 30 GW of renewable energy These projects powered by more than 30 GW of renewable energy Muscat –.. Vivestar inaugurated the region’s first Green Hydrogen Technology Hub and launched H-Armonía: what is it all about 2025.  With the start-up of the  first operational electrolyzers.. COPYRIGHT POLICY DISCLAIMER TERMS & CONDITIONS PRIVACY POLICY We love meeting interesting people and making new friends An Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin with marine debris attached to its tail swims in the ocean on Monday [DOCU JEJU/JEJU NATIONAL UNIVERSITY’S WHALE AND MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION RESEARCH CENTER] An Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin with marine debris attached to its tail [DOCU JEJU/JEJU NATIONAL UNIVERSITY’S WHALE AND MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION RESEARCH CENTER] Two fishing boats are stranded near Tokkiseom island People pass by the Geonip-dong Black Pork Street in Jeju City around noon on June 3 An online user shares a photo of fatty pork belly cuts on the grill in online community Bobaedream in late April Geonip-dong Black Pork Street in Jeju City is quiet at noon on June 3 Jeju International Airport [JOONGANG ILBO] announce plans to innovate Jeju tourism at the press center of Jeju City Hall on May 29 Tourists enjoy the scenary at the Cosmosco Flower Garden located at Hangmong Historic Site in Aewol-eup 2 missing as 2 fishing boats run aground off Jeju resulting in the deaths of a Korean captain and an Indonesian crew member with two other people still missing in the waters off Jeju when a storm warning was in effect on Saturday a report was received by the Seogwipo Coast Guard that two fishing vessels had struck a rock while operating near Rabbit Island off the coast of Hado-ri was found in cardiac arrest and transported to a hospital A 40-year-old Indonesian crew member from 330,000 Sunho was discovered in cardiac arrest on shore approximately four hours after the accident and was also pronounced dead at the hospital The remaining 11 crew members were rescued a violent crime against foreigners hit Jeju Island Even the residents of the province are in fear freezing the travel sentiment to Jeju Island which has already been bombarded with rip-offs According to related industries on the 26th police launched an investigation after a Chinese man was found murdered at a hotel in central Jeju City in the afternoon of the 24th Police are investigating the case by identifying four Chinese people as suspects violent crimes against Chinese people have become especially strong violent crimes are occurring frequently among Chinese people who are illegally staying after entering the country without a visa With the introduction of the visa-free system foreigners can stay visa-free in Jeju for a month The suspect is a Chinese man in his 30s who is illegally staying There are also continuous cases of attempted murder an illegal Chinese resident wielded a weapon due to a business conflict a Chinese man in his 50s was arrested by police after being stabbed by a Chinese man who worked with him at an employee's accommodation in a quarry in Seogwipo Both the suspect and the victim were reportedly staying in Jeju without returning home after entering the country without a visa there was even a mass assault case at a house in Jeju City The perpetrators and victims are all the same Chinese They did not stop at assaulting the victim but took some 3 million won in cash and mobile phones from the victim's wallet and ran away Violation of basic order is also on the rise According to the Jeju National Police Agency the number of foreign tourists visiting Jeju has recently increased rapidly resulting in an increase in violations of basic order by foreigners 2,482 foreigners were cracked down on jaywalking but compared to 0 cases in 2021-2022 and 5 cases in 2023 Jeju Island is shaking as foreign crimes are infested The controversy over the rip-off has already been abandoned by Koreans but eliminating the visa system could put a damper on tourism if you leave the abuse of the visa-free system alone "We have said we will strengthen cooperation with the consul general on foreign crimes but no improvement is being made," a tourism professor said "We are in an embarrassing situation where we have no choice but to leave the free gift system abused to revitalize exhibition tourism with good inbound numbers on the surface." A series of violent crimes by Chinese people in Jeju are threatening local security According to the Jeju Western Police Station a Chinese man in his 30s was stabbed to death at a large hotel in Jeju on the 24th Police are investigating four Chinese people including three in their 30s and one in their 60s The police are focusing on confirming that they ran away with 85 million won of A's money and finding out the exact circumstances of the incident The Chinese people's violent crimes against their own citizens in Jeju are continuing six Chinese people massively assaulted B of the same nationality at a house in Jeju City took more than 3 million won in cash and mobile phones who were illegal residents at the time of the incident stated that they worked at a construction site in Jeju but committed the crime because they were not paid six Chinese people were arrested by police for stealing cash by collectively assaulting C in the process of converting 1 billion won worth of cash into virtual currency at a hotel in Jeju a Chinese man was arrested on charges of attempted murder by stabbing a colleague of the same nationality at a quarry accommodation in Seogwipo a Chinese man in his 30s assaulted and killed a woman of the same nationality for about two hours in Yeondong walked around the original downtown area of Jeju City with a weapon in his hand they were caught by police who were dispatched to report residents the police also caught another Chinese man living in a nearby house with Mr Anxiety among provincial residents is growing as more Chinese people are traveling to Jeju or commit crimes while living illegally after entering the country through a visa-free system that allows them to stay in Jeju for a month An official from the Jeju National Police Agency said "We are strengthening cooperation with the consul general to respond to foreign crimes." Reporter Ko Kyung-ho of Jeju The Hawaii of Korea–that’s how many people explain Jeju Island in South Korea But given geographic- and climate-based arguments then why would anyone want to visit this acclaimed tropical paradise during the winter read on and I’ll explain why I think it was one of the best decisions I’ve made since being stationed in South Korea Jeju Island is owned by the Republic of Korea (ROK) meaning that the island is technically in the country of South Korea Jeju Island is about 53 miles southwest of the southern tip of the Korean peninsula Jeju Island was formed via underwater volcanic eruptions about 2 million years ago The most prominent and visible remnants of this volcanic activity are the ~360 volcanic cones scattered throughout the island as well as the massive Mt Halla (aka Hallasan) which rises 1,950 meters (6,400 ft) above sea level Jeju island is known for being the “Hawaii of Korea” due to the mild climate provided by the Kuroshio current and temperatures that rarely drop below zero Jeju island is a well-known vacation destination for newlyweds I would recommend visiting Jeju for the incredibly clean air provided by the constant sea breeze the warm temperatures that rarely drop below zero a chance to hike to the top of Mt Hallasan (the highest mountain in South Korea) to view the incredible landscapes provided by the unique formation of the island itself (volcanic cones the largest island in the Hawaiian island chain) is 4,028 sq mi whereas Jeju Island is only 708 sq mi–meaning Jeju Island is only ~17.5% as large as Hawaii’s “Big Island” Hawaii is about 5.7x times larger than Jeju meaning it’s about 1.7x larger than Jeju Island My personal journey to Jeju Island (and what I recommend doing) So like I proposed earlier: why would you visit a tropical paradise in the winter time and much better weather than mainland South Korea and I’ll do anything to get to a place with better air quality: the sea breeze generated by the Kuroshio current does just that my real intention with visiting Jeju Island was to hike to the highest point in South Korea: Mt Hallasan but being able to claim that you’ve done very specific facts like hike to the highest point of a specific country is kind of my thing lol know that you’re not alone and that you’re in good company I got up early and made my way to the trailhead to see what of this adventure I could salvage the park rangers politely informed me that while the summit was closed I would still be able to hike as far as the Jindalaebat shelter about 4.5 miles from the trailhead (~9miles roundtrip) I just jumped through all those hoops to get out here and the weather had ruined my chance at scratching this item off my Korean Bucket List that this entire past year had been nothing but jumping through hoops I recalled that old Bruce Lee saying of “moving like water” and pressed on towards the path of least resistance The weather shifted dramatically as I traversed along the path towards the Jindalaebat shelter What was a rather comfortable temperature at the base of the volcano was quickly becoming downright cold I encountered my first few patches of snow; I couldn’t have been happier and winter is my favorite season after all Maybe this snowstorm wasn’t the worst thing 4.5 miles later I reached the Jindalaebat shelter Snow drifts had piled up along the sides of the building and dozens of other cold souls gathered inside the shelter to eat snacks and defrost their appendages I pulled out my cliff bars and munched on them while squeezing and releasing my numb hands at least a hundred times before I finally felt comfortable enough to go back outside and retreat back to the trailhead I snapped a few photos and began making my way back down I took a detour out to Saraoreum Scenic Viewpoint to take some lovely photos of the beach some 5 or 6 kilometers away in the distance The clouds danced upon an imaginary surface a few hundred kilometers above the surface of the sea and the shadows they left behind created the illusion of dozens of other tiny islands all around the shore What looked like peace and harmony to the south was drastically challenged by the invasive snowstorm that had just run me (and every other smart person) right off that mountain I felt conflicted: I was somewhat content that I hiked as much as I could on Mt Hallasan but I couldn’t stop reminiscing that “had the weather just been better I could’ve made it to the top of South Korea” I tried to shake it off but the feeling lingered; I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t still creep up as I think about this trip while writing about it in January 2023 The interesting landscape of Jeju Island is There are ~360 volcanic cones scattered throughout the island and yet the most impressive of them all is Seongsan Ilchulbong (or Fortress Mountain in Korean This cone received its name appropriately as the land mass surely does represent a massive castle at first sight When I approached Seongsan after coming off of Mt Hallasan it looked more like a giant meteor had stuck the coast of Jeju some tens of thousands of years ago–nothing around it was even close to as massive I paid a small admission fee and began up a steep set of stairs to the summit I was even more amazed at the peculiarity of this land mass The top wasn’t flat like I had anticipated rather I felt like I was living in the movie inception where physics was an illusion and creativity ruled formation Jeju Women Divers (or Jeju haenyeo) and Seongsan Park As I climbed back down the stairs from the summit I made my way down to where Seongsan met the sea jagged cliffs that stretched up almost 200 meters were daunting and fantastic at the same time black stone reminded me of a time I visited Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park; nostalgia at its finest ladies and gents lol it would appear that beach is rather muddy and even swampy because everything on this island is a result of volcanic activity and let the sand sift through my fingers over a dozen times because On your way down to the black sand beach below Seongsan look to your left and you can’t miss their headquarters Dol Hareubangs are the iconic stone sculptures you’ll see in every gift shop and in front of every business when you go to Jeju There’s even an entire park dedicated to them I kept seeing these little statues everywhere I went so I decided to go to the Jeju Stone Park to see if I could get a better understanding of them (and see more I learned that the Dol Hareubang (also spelt Dolharubang) are deities placed at the sides of entrances to offer protection and prosperity the Jeju Stone Park has hundreds of Bangsataps or stacked stones that appear to have a humanistic shape I was pleasantly surprised to find there was a large museum on site as well it felt good to step inside the museum for an hour or so to warm up my hands and to learn about the creation of Jeju Island The museum walks visitors through the geological sequences that led up to the formation of Jeju and it also showcases some of the amazing rock formations that have been found on the island due to volcanic activity Where else can you see waterfalls that lead directly into the ocean? You have to visit at least one waterfall while you’re on Jeju I loved visiting this attraction not only because of the amazing photos I got here but because it’s right near an awesome little downtown area in the town of Seogwipo (2nd largest town on Jeju opposite end of the island from the capitol city) The first time I tried to see this waterfall I got to the parking lot just as they closed the gate to walk down to it; I was super bummed I had just drove an hour from Jeju city to see it and they closed it on me I opted for the path of least resistance and found myself at an amazing little brewery there in the town of Seogwipo If you ever find yourself near the south end of Jeju I made it a point to go back to the Jeongbang waterfall–I was in love at first sight Hundreds of gallons of rushing water came plunging down over the rock face and smacked directly into a large boulder field before gently draining directly into the sea Remember all those water cycle graphics from your science textbooks in highschool they weren’t the sexiest thing to look at but it was pretty awesome to experience it up close and person lol I drove my rental car back to the airport and was on my way back to mainland Korea I have a bucket list item that says “Climb to the top of South Korea” and I intend to cross that off before I leave There’s also dozens of other waterfalls I’d like to view and most important of all Read now > Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan The daytime temperature in Jeju City exceeded 28 degrees Celsius and some areas reached up to 30 degrees Celsius the highest temperature in Jeju (northern) rose to 28.5 degrees as of 3 p.m It is the highest temperature on March since the weather observation the hottest March was 28.1 degrees on March 9 Jeju was on the edge of the high pressure located in the southern sea of Japan and the daytime temperature was significantly higher than the average year (13-15 degrees) there were hot places as temperatures rose more than 27 degrees Celsius especially in the eastern and northern regions The highest daily temperatures at major points are 30.3 degrees in Gujwa Jeju will have warm weather with daytime temperatures of around 20 degrees until the 27th and the temperature is expected to drop significantly to around 10 degrees on the 28th Jeju April 3 records were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the 11th the 221st UNESCO Executive Board finally approved the registration of the "Revealing Truth: Jeju April 3 Archives" at 6:05 a.m The application for registration as a World Heritage Site was submitted by Jeju Island and the Jeju April 3 Peace Fire and Marine Corps in November 2023 The UNESCO Registration Review Subcommittee (RSC) and the International Advisory Committee (IAC) recommended the registration and the executive board finally decided to register as a World Heritage Site efforts to register as a World Heritage Site The Jeju April 3 records contain 14,673 historical records that contain the process of truth identification and reconciliation They include the list of prisoners of the court vivid testimonies from victims and their families (14,601) records of civil society's fact-finding campaigns (42) and the government's official fact-finding report (3 cases) The International Advisory Committee said of the Jeju April 3 record "It sheds light on efforts to reveal the truth against national violence and restore the honor of the victims," adding "It is an achievement of the community's democracy practice toward reconciliation and co-prosperity." Jeju Island has achieved a record of "five UNESCO gold medals." In addition to the existing UNESCO Biosphere Reserve "It is a meaningful moment when the historical journey of Jeju residents who healed the pain of Jeju April 3 and achieved reconciliation and co-prosperity "We will systematically collect and preserve records related to April 3 and use them as living materials for peace and human rights education for future generations," adding "We will work closely with the government to build an archive that can be easily accessed by anyone." Jeju Island plans to hold events to commemorate the registration in the future and promote various commemorative projects such as related exhibitions and academic events a special exhibition called "Jeju April 3 Archive: Truth and Reconciliation" is being held at the Korean Pavilion in Paris International University Village in France to commemorate the registration SEOUL – The Jeju Tourism Organization has curated a selection of iconic travel spots on Jeju Island where holidaymakers can take in the unique winter ambiance and enjoy a memorable travel experience Hikers can witness the frozen beauty of flowers and fields of snow along the way to the mountain’s peak Jeju’s provincial government and Hallasan National Park are permitting a greater number of hikers on two other Hallasan mountain trails — Gwaneumsa Trail and Seongpanak Trail — to enable more visitors to experience the iconic mountain in winter the Hallasan Snowflower Bus will serve hikers moving to and from Jeju City Bus Terminal and the entrance of Youngsil Trail — another popular hiking course If you’re looking for a Christmas atmosphere If you’re interested in vintage fashion which is located in Jeju City on the island’s north side but make sure to check its Instagram in case there’s an unexpected day off As our flight lands on the beautiful South Korean island of Jeju He first came here in 1986 to photograph the island for the country’s tourism board A favored place among honeymooners — and just over an hour by plane from Seoul — Jeju’s subtropical climate and seafood-forward cuisine entice visitors to its shores We have taken an Eastar Jet flight from Gimpo International Airport to reach this jewel off the southern coast of the peninsula the tourist board was keen to drum up the island’s appeal to foreigners and highlight a new hotel that was just opening Today, Jeju is a premier tourist destination in South Korea. For New Englanders, it’s far-flung but accessible: flight options include a Korean Air non-stop route from Boston to Seoul though you’ll need a separate connection to reach Jeju it’s a place entwined with Kim’s personal history On the streets of Seoul, he captured a particularly touching photograph of university protesters mourning their fellow student Lee Han-yeol, who died after being struck in the head by a police tear-gas canister Kim’s photo seemed to encapsulate the deep feelings of the South Korean public Kim’s time in the country left a deep impression on him he is ready to experience Jeju all over again We are here at the invitation of filmmaker Kim Man-jin, who we met in 2017 when he asked my husband to appear in a documentary about Lee’s death Man-jin has curated a three-day trip for us one that he hopes will deepen our understanding of the island’s rich — and painful — history We will be joined by a photographer named Lee Soon-koo who helped film the documentary and will also be shooting our latest travels as well as a mountaineering expert who will guide us on our walks After picking up our rental car (both Hertz and Avis have kiosks on Jeju) Our host tells us that we aren’t here, this time, to trek up South Korea’s tallest mountain, Hallasan (6,388 feet), or walk any of the Jeju Olle Trail the island’s network of stunning footpaths We will walk some of the smaller cones and craters to acquaint ourselves with Jeju’s terrain our first stop is the most essential: We need to know what happened here As we arrive at the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park We learn that a grim history followed the Korean Peninsula’s liberation from Japanese occupation in 1945 The park’s name references the date of a civilian uprising on the island and the subsequent crackdown by South Korean authorities in which tens of thousands were killed Exhibits honor the Jeju residents who lost their lives during the massacre but the peace park’s museum is laid out beautifully and includes art made by locals Watching school groups playing between the various exhibits feels like a positive reference to South Korea’s mostly peaceful here and now A stop for some noodle soup made with Jeju pork (the island is famous for its native pigs), as well as some refreshing local tangerines, refuels us for a pleasant walk at the Jeju Stone Park mysterious volcanic statues here known as “stone grandfathers.” A symbol of Jeju they are said to guard against evil spirits but to me their faces are humorous and comforting A museum here teaches visitors about Jeju’s formation in which volcanic activity figures heavily The “sky pond” atop the museum is mesmerizing; rubber boots are placed at the edge Our next stop is Sangumburi Crater an impressive site awash in green and surrounded by fields of waving golden reeds I can see why this atmospheric location has been used as a backdrop in Korean films and television shows I pause for a private moment to honor and thank my late mother who had Jeju on her lengthy list of must-visit places Our first dinner as a group is at Unjeongine thin fish is caught in the waters near Jeju and quite popular among Koreans He says he especially likes it braised spicy-style with red pepper reaches in to cut the bone out of the fish for me.) Rice comes served in a heavy stone pot and topped with abalone A soup made with sea urchin and seaweed reminds us that the crystal-clear sea is very close Man-jin has arranged for us to stay in a villa but there is no shortage of accommodations on the island the women divers who for generations have made a living free-diving into the ocean’s depths for seafood UNESCO recognized haenyeo on its list of “intangible cultural heritage of humanity.” Biyang is easy to get to by ferry from Hallim Port (tickets can be purchased from ferry companies for around $10 We walk the perimeter of the volcanic island in an hour A paved walkway around the island makes it possible to bike and there are places to sit along the way The volcanic rock shoreline is full of interesting tidal pools The photographers in our group are in their element I spot the distinctive floats of the women divers which sit on the water’s surface as they dive for their catch near an outcrop of volcanic rocks protruding from the sea we are not going to be able to watch them up close but just seeing their heads reemerge from the depths is inspiring We have plenty of time before the next ferry to enjoy a local delicacy It is simply the most delicious thing I have eaten on this trip — and that is saying a lot The men begin tucking into little metal cups of makgeolli Back on Jeju, Man-Jin brings us to the Kim Tschang-Yeul Art Museum named for the deceased artist whose modernist art His famous “Water Drops” series seemingly encapsulates centuries of Korean sorrow Our final day has come too soon, and Man-jin says he has something special in store for us, in addition to our final dinner. Arriving at a big parking lot, I wonder what he has planned. And then I see the tickets he hands us, for Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls stopping to observe the mystical-looking cranes sitting on the ponds we reach the stunning fall and see why its name translates to “where heaven meets earth.” We take turns with rowdy school groups posing for photos a misty spray giving us a feeling of fun and well-being We make a quick stop at the shanty house and gallery of artist Lee Jung-seob in the city of Seogwipo but this gallery holds only a few of his precious Fauvist-inspired works Man-jin explains that after the artist’s death including by the country’s museum and wealthy private collectors Enjoying the fine view from the gallery’s rooftop the moment seems poignant as our journey with Man-jin winds down He tells us that he brought us here because This seems like a message for us and our time High winds have prevented us from walking up Saebyeol Oreum knowing what a special vista it yields to those who do manage to climb it It was the first time we all felt a hint of coolness in the autumn air We take a sunset walk on Hyeopjae Beach in the coastal town of Hallim The photographers in our group chase the juicy light with their cameras and we feel so grateful for our time together Our final dinner is at Jeju Island Haenyeo Three Sisters (275 Hallimhaean-ro It is run by a third generation of women divers so I finally get my chance to meet some of these incredible haenyeo who seem to hold together the soul of Jeju through their sustainable fishing practices Kim and I begin to sense that we will someday return to this island Man-jin has broadened our understanding of Korean history and deepened our connection with the culture and terrain of South Korea’s jewel Writer Cheri Newton and freelance photographer Kim Newton are based in Tucson. Send comments to magazine@globe.com. Home Delivery Gift Subscriptions Log In Manage My Account Customer Service Delivery Issues Feedback News Tips Help & FAQs Staff List Advertise Newsletters View the ePaper Order Back Issues News in Education Search the Archives Privacy Policy Terms of Service Terms of Purchase Work at Boston Globe Media Internship Program Co-op Program Do Not Sell My Personal Information Year-end and New Year's events scheduled in Jeju are being canceled one after another to honor the souls of the victims of the Jeju Air plane disaster at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do and share the pain of the bereaved families Jeju Special Self-Governing Province canceled the 32nd Seongsan Sunrise Festival which was scheduled to be held from the 31st to January 1 of the new year Jeju City canceled the "Yonggotago Event of the Night" scheduled to be held on the 31st and Seogwipo City decided not to hold the "Seoguri Winter Sea International Penguin Swimming Competition," which has been held every year on New Year's Day also canceled the Daejeong Same Sunrise Festival which was scheduled to be held on the 31st to pray for the New Year's safety and well-being Officials from Jeju Island and both administrative cities said "We decided not to hold the event to share the pain of the bereaved families who are suffering from unexpected great sadness We judged that it was not appropriate to continue the large-scale event at a time when the whole people shared their sadness." The Jeju tourism industry is also participating in the mourning Jeju Shinhwa World and Jeju Dream Tower Complex Resort have canceled all year-end countdown events scheduled to be held on the 31st "We express our deepest condolences to the victims of the aircraft accident and express our sincere condolences to the bereaved families," adding "We will do our best to avoid any inconvenience in canceling room reservations due to the cancellation of the event." "We express our deep sadness and condolences to those affected by this disaster and we ask for your generous understanding and understanding." Reporter Ko Kyung-ho of Jeju