Dong-Eui University Embarks on a Journey to Discover Busan's Hidden Stories

LINC+ Project Group and Tourism Convention Research Institute Operate Unique Venue Tour
Dong-Eui University Korea-Japan Haenyeo Research Institute Conducts Funding for Publication of Oral Records of Five Haenyeo

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Dong-Eui University is conducting an urban travel program to discover unique venues hidden in the Busan area. They are also publishing oral histories of urban haenyeo (female divers) and searching for Busan’s hidden stories together with local residents.

The Dong-Eui University LINC+ Project Group and the Tourism Convention Research Institute operate a tourism and convention specialized program called “Unique Venue Journey to Share with Local Residents.” By visiting special local places and gaining on-site experience, the program aims to raise awareness of local tourism cultural resources and enhance the connection between the university and the region, enabling the discovery of convergent regional content through hands-on experience.

The program offers special lectures and explanations by Yeohogeun, director of the Dong-Eui University Tourism Convention Research Institute (professor of Hotel and Convention Management), and Heo Hyeonghwa, CEO of Beyond Busan. About 20 participants, including Dong-Eui University students and local residents, take part.

On July 4, they visited the pine trees of Duho Village in Jukseong-ri, Gijang, and the zelkova tree (Millennium Tree) in Jangan-ri, covering areas in Haeundae and Gijang. On July 11, they explored local old trees (natural monuments and protected trees) linked to unique venues such as Gamcheon Culture Village, Samteo Hackberry Tree in Goejeong, Paeng Tree at Sanyangsa Temple in Noksan-dong, Gangseo-gu, Dadaepo, and Mowoondae.

On the 18th, they plan to visit Somak Village in Nam-gu and Suyeong-gu, Hwangnyeongsan Observatory, and protected trees in Suyeong Historic Park, followed by an exploration of the Busanjin-gu area.

Director Yeohogeun said, “The unique venue on-site experiential education allows participants to directly experience tourism content acquired through major education together with local residents, sharing and creating social value beyond the connection between the university and the region.”

The Dong-Eui University Korea-Japan Haenyeo Research Institute (Director Yoo Hyung-sook, professor of Hotel and Convention Management) is currently conducting a funding project to publish an oral history of urban haenyeo, recording the stories of five haenyeo in Namcheon-dong, Busan.

To preserve the haenyeo culture, which is disappearing, and the haenyeo living in the “Busan fishing village,” the new project “Oral Interview Collection of Five Haenyeo in Namcheon” compiles the stories of five elderly haenyeo grandmothers belonging to the Namcheon Fishing Cooperative in Namcheon-dong, Busan, into a single book.

If the target amount of 2.5 million KRW is raised through small donations in July, the publication work will be completed by December. Donors will receive rewards according to their donation amount, including the booklet “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow,” mini notebooks, hand mirrors, invitations to the publication commemorative event, and experience vouchers for accompanying Busan haenyeo on diving activities.

Director Yoo Hyung-sook of the Korea-Japan Haenyeo Research Institute said, “In 2016, ‘Jeju Haenyeo Culture’ was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing its value. However, interest and support for haenyeo living outside Jeju are very minimal.”

“Especially in Busan, the number of haenyeo diving is decreasing year by year,” she added, expressing regret that “while support for AI, ICT, and engineering has increased significantly in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, interest in the humanities has waned.”

The Dong-Eui University Korea-Japan Haenyeo Research Institute was established in March 2016 to preserve the precious and rare intangible cultural heritage of haenyeo culture found only in Korea and Japan. Based on comprehensive research on professional female fishermen, the haenyeo, the institute holds academic seminars and publishes educational materials.

They have conducted haenyeo cultural experience education programs for Busan citizens, participated in the Japanese “Haenyeo Summit (Ama Summit),” engaged in Korea-Japan haenyeo cultural exchanges, and carried out haenyeo status surveys and information exchanges through agreements with the Mie University Haenyeo Research Center.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.