Gyeongbuk Province and Jeju Province Sign Joint Agreement to Promote 'Marine Humanities Exchange and Island Ecotourism Activation'

Consensus on the Need to Preserve Haenyeo Fishing and Ensure the Sustainability of Haenyeo Culture

Establishing a Cooperative System for Island Ecotourism Revitalization and Blue Carbon Commercialization

Gyeongbuk Provincial Government Office.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] Gyeongbuk Province and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for ‘Marine Humanities Exchange and Island Ecotourism Revitalization’ on the 17th at the Lahan Hotel in Pohang.

The signing ceremony was held to establish a cooperative system for future-oriented development and continuous exchange between the two provinces to preserve marine ecological resources and ensure their sustainable use.

Through this agreement, both parties agreed to ▲ preserve and pass on the Haenyeo culture, reexamine marine history, and promote marine humanities exchange ▲ devise plans to revitalize island ecotourism such as ecological experiences and marine leisure activities.

They also agreed to cooperate on ▲ introducing an environmental conservation contribution system to preserve island ecological resources and maintain sustainability ▲ jointly respond to global marine waste and collaborate on blue carbon commercialization ▲ establish a joint cooperative system to revitalize geoparks.

Through this, both provinces plan to spread the awareness that ‘the ocean is our future,’ share a vision, and discover high value-added content aimed at people-centered tourism that enhances the value of the environment.

Additionally, they plan to develop greenhouse gas reduction technologies utilizing marine ecosystems, preserve excellent geological heritage resources, and use them as educational and tourism resources to contribute to the public’s rest and emotional enrichment while promoting regional economic revitalization.

At the signing ceremony, Gyeongbuk Province presented Jeju Province with the Manpasikjeok, a flute that means to eliminate all the world’s waves (萬波) and bring peace (息), which was used in the Unified Silla royal court rituals to pray for the end of political instability or national crises and the arrival of a peaceful era.

Jeju Province, commemorating the inscription of Jeju Haenyeo culture as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016, presented a commemorative stamp issued by the Korea Post’s ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage Series,’ strengthening mutual friendship.

Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, said, “Following the opening of the Ulleungdo ring road, large cruise ships are operating. If the airport opens by 2025, Ulleungdo will become a natural tourist destination,” and emphasized, “Let us make various efforts through continuous cooperation so that Ulleungdo and Jeju can develop into world-class tourist attractions.”

Oh Young-hoon, Governor of Jeju Province, said, “Post-COVID tourism policies and strategies that keep pace with changing travel trends are required,” and added, “Let us jointly cooperate in developing programs that connect the ecological environment, history, culture, and food tourism resources of Gyeongbuk and Jeju.”