Haenyeo Archives | Be Korea-savvy
From Ramyeon to Haenyeo, Korean Life Finds a Place in Global English

From Ramyeon to Haenyeo, Korean Life Finds a Place in Global English

LONDON•SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — Several words rooted in Korean culture, including ramyeon, haenyeo and sunbae, have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary, underscoring the growing imprint of Korean life and language on global English usage as the influence of Korean popular culture continues to spread. The latest update to the dictionary, published by [...]

Jeju’s Haenyeo Rescue Unit Launches with Underwater Cleanup Operation

Jeju’s Haenyeo Rescue Unit Launches with Underwater Cleanup Operation

JEJU, April 29, (Korea Bizwire) — Members of Jeju’s newly formed Haenyeo Rescue Unit collected 300 kilograms of marine debris in their first official operation, marking a new chapter in community-led ocean preservation efforts. According to the Jeju Coast Guard on Monday, about 20 members of the Haenyeo Rescue Unit, affiliated with the Jeju Marine [...]

Capturing the Fading Legacy of Jeju’s ‘Last Mermaids’

Capturing the Fading Legacy of Jeju’s ‘Last Mermaids’

JEJU, Jun. 7 (Korea Bizwire) – For the next few weeks, visitors to the Haenyeo Museum on the resort island of Jeju can glimpse into the vanishing world of the region’s celebrated free-diving women through the lens of Peter Ashley Lee, a 42-year-old photographer. Lee’s exhibition, “The Last Mermaid,” which opened on June 4 and runs [...]

Jeju Island to Unite Haenyeo Nationwide with Launch of ‘National Haenyeo Association’ in 2023

Jeju Island to Unite Haenyeo Nationwide with Launch of ‘National Haenyeo Association’ in 2023

JEJU, Nov. 17 (Korea Bizwire) – A national association is set to be established next year to unite haenyeo – female divers who harvest seafood – from across the country, including those who have relocated from Jeju to engage in muljjil (diving into the ocean to harvest seafood) in other areas. Jeju Island is gearing up [...]

Jeju’s Haenyeo Culture at Risk: Urgent UNESCO Appeal as Fukushima Contamination Threat Looms

Jeju’s Haenyeo Culture at Risk: Urgent UNESCO Appeal as Fukushima Contamination Threat Looms

JEJU, May 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Jeju Island’s government announced on Wednesday its plans to increase the “Haenyeo Retirement Allowance” provided to elderly Jeju haenyeo, female divers who harvest a variety of sea life, upon their retirement. The proposed amendment to the ‘Ordinance on the Preservation and Fostering of Jeju Haenyeo Fishery’ includes lowering the [...]

Female Divers Share Know-how with Coast Guard Rescuers

Female Divers Share Know-how with Coast Guard Rescuers

TONGYEONG, Nov. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — The Coast Guard has recently gained media attention for visiting “haenyeo” to learn about their practices and traditional know-how. Haenyeo (Sea Women) in Korean refers to female divers who make their living harvesting seafood by hand from the ocean floor without breathing equipment. The Tongyeong Coast Guard hosted a [...]