Haenyeo Divers

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Korea’s haenyeo divers are a symbol of Jeju Island, and they were added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list last year. However, there are also hundreds of female divers making their livelihoods from the ocean in Geoje-do Island, Gyeongsangnam-do Province. Next up, we will bring you the stories of younger-generation women who have decided to carry on the traditions of the haenyeo divers.

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In a vast southern ocean, young women dive into the indigo blue water, carrying buoys, a symbol of Korean female divers known as haenyeos. They are haenyeo apprentices who have voluntarily come to become professional woman divers. Their breathing is still short and shallow, and their diving skills are not good enough. However, the young divers have decided to make their livelihoods from the ocean waters.

[Soundbite] Lee So-young(Haenyeo Academy Student) : "Oceans are a resource and all haenyeo divers are a culture. I came to learn how to become a woman diver in order to help preserve and inherit the culture of the haenyeo."

Of roughly 790 woman divers in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, less than ten are in their 20s and most are aged 60 or older. Older divers who have been working for 50 years in the vast blue ocean waters off the coast of Geoje-do Island are teaching younger divers the lifestyle and culture of the haenyeo. The older divers express infinite appreciation to the younger apprentices who are following in their footsteps.

[Soundbite] Choi Young-hee(Haenyeo Diver) : "Many young students unexpectedly came and enrolled. I appreciate their decisions to carry on haenyeo traditions."

Haenyeo is the nation's unique fishing culture, which was named a state intangible cultural asset this year. Young divers are heading to the ocean today as usual, in order to inherit the traditions of the haenyeo culture.