Kim Gong-ja Haenyeo and a sea lion cub. The Dokdo Gangchi, or Sea Lions in Dokdo, were indiscriminately hunted by the Japanese during the Japanese occupation of Korea, causing their population to plummet. In 1904, there was a mass capture of more than 3,200 in a single year. (Dokdo, late 1950s). (Photo: Courtesy of Gyeongbuk Province)
JEJU, Aug. 26 (Korea Bizwire) —An upcoming exhibition will pay tribute to the Jeju haenyeo, iconic women divers who played a vital role in safeguarding South Korea through their labor on Dokdo.
The Jeju Haenyeo Museum has recently announced a special exhibition titled “Guardians of Dokdo: Jeju Haenyeo” in collaboration with the Dokdo Museum in Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
The exhibition, scheduled to take place from August 29 to December 10 at the Haenyeo Museum, will spotlight the historical significance of the Jeju haenyeo and their connection to Dokdo and Ulleungdo.
The exhibition will showcase a collection of documents left by the Jeju haenyeo that offer insights into their experiences on Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Since the time of the Japanese occupation, the Jeju haenyeo have been actively involved in transporting essential materials to the fishing grounds of Ulleungdo and Dokdo.
Over the decades, a dedicated group of these women have harvested seaweed and abalone from the Dokdo fishing grounds, playing a crucial role in solidifying South Korea’s territorial sovereignty over Dokdo.
The exhibition will feature distinct sections, highlighting the relationship between Jeju haenyeo, Ulleungdo, and Dokdo. Visitors will be treated to a visual journey through time, featuring photographs spanning from the Japanese occupation era to the present day, capturing the haenyeo’s industrious efforts on Ulleungdo and Dokdo. The exhibition will also incorporate animated videos and authentic tools used by the haenyeo.
‘Jeju Haenyeo Culture’ has been inscribed as Korea’s 19th UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. (Photo: Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration)
To mark the opening of the exhibition, an inaugural event will be held on August 29 at 2 p.m. at the Haenyeo Museum. This event serves as a culmination of the collaborative efforts between Jeju and Gyeongbuk to foster maritime and cultural exchanges, as well as to promote eco-tourism on the islands.
Image credit: Yonhap, Cultural Heritage Administration, Gyeongbuk Province / photonews@koreabizwire.com
