Along the rocky coastlines of Korea, the ancient art of the “haenyeo” — traditional female free-divers who harvest sea life without breathing apparatus — has long stood as one of the country’s most remarkable cultural institutions. But as the legendary matriarchs of the deep grow older and their numbers dwindle, coastal cities are searching for creative ways to keep their heritage alive. Starting this month, the southern port city of Busan is launching a new initiative that turns this UNESCO-recognized legacy into an immersive tourism experience. Beginning Aug. 4, the Busan Tourism Organization and municipal officials will roll out Learn the Sea with Haenyeo, a 20-session cultural immersion program running through September at Gamji Beach on Yeongdo Island. Designed to bridge the gap between curious travelers and the city’s remaining divers, the three-hour guided experience pairs participants directly with active local haenyeo. The program offers an intimate window into a lifestyle shaped by centuries of oceanic folklore and environmental stewardship. After a storytelling session
Busan turns to tourism to save its female free-divers
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- Busan turns to tourism to save its female free-divers
Along the rocky coastlines of Korea, the ancient art of the “haenyeo” — traditional female free-divers who harvest sea life without breathing apparatus — has long stood as one of the country’s most remarkable cultural institutions. But as the legendary matriarchs of the deep grow older and their numbers dwindle, coastal cities are searching for creative ways to keep their… Read more: Busan turns to tourism to save its female free-divers - US drone mix-up caused by communication error at working level: officialLast week’s mix-up between South Korean and U.S. militaries over a U.S. drone flight occurred due to a communication error at the working level, a South Korean military official said Monday. The incident came after South Korean forces detected the U.S. spy drone flying over the inter-Korean border area Thursday, mistaking it for an enemy threat and almost preparing to… Read more: US drone mix-up caused by communication error at working level: official
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