Jeju Island of South Korea has received multiple recognitions for its natural wonders. But its living traditions, including shamanism and free-diving women, are less well-known but no less wondrous.

Jeju Island of South Korea has received multiple recognitions for its natural wonders. But its living traditions, including shamanism and free-diving women, are less well-known but no less wondrous.
A colourful story, this island — or rather, island group plus mainland ‘triangle’ — even now functions largely as a nation-state, independent-minded and freedom-loving, despite the recent heavy-handed involvement by Beijing.
Korea, long known as ‘The Hermit Kingdom’ for its historical reluctance to engage with the world, has burst into the global consciousness in recent years.
The historical figure of Kim Mandeok [Jeju Island, Korea] provides a model for today’s women, with timeless and universal themes such as women’s empowerment, gender equality, and social responsibility in the form of compassionate yet pragmatic philanthropy, for a more equitable distribution of wealth and global poverty reduction.