My First Official Trip to Jeju

[성김 대사]

I believe the best way to learn about a place is to travel there and spend time with local residents.  On my first trip to Jeju Island as the U.S. Ambassador to Korea a couple of weeks ago, I was able to do just this on a breezy afternoon along the famous Olle Trail.  As I walked together with Jeju community leaders and university students, I learned not only about the beauty of the Olle trail, but also about the importance of maintaining it for future generations.

A nice walk on the Jeju Olle Trail with Jeju community leaders & students

View of the Jeju Sea along the Olle Trail

I was in Jeju for the World Conservation Congress -- an international event where officials, experts and activists from all around the world seek sustainable solutions for environmental problems.  With its natural beauty Jeju was an impressive site for such a gathering.  The event was well attended, and I very much enjoyed the opportunity to engage senior Korean officials, fellow ambassadors from Seoul, and delegations from many different countries. 

Before the conservation congress, I made a stop at Jeju National University to deliver a speech on U.S.-Korea relations to 200 eager students.  The president of the university had invited me to speak there a few months ago, and I was happy to visit the campus on this trip to Jeju.  It gave me the opportunity to connect with Korean students and emphasize that the bedrock of the U.S.-Korea alliance is the people-to-people ties between our nations.  I concluded the trip with a courtesy call on Jeju Governor Woo Keun-min. 

Giving a special lecture to Jeju National University students

A pleasant meeting with Jeju Governor Woo Keun-min

And in the end, I was able to take in the slow pace of life in Jeju through a couple of simple, yet wonderful meals.  The first night, Embassy staff and I enjoyed a leisurely dinner -- black pork with Jeju soju -- on a restaurant patio overlooking the ocean warmly lit up by squid boats just offshore.  The second day, we sampled al-jigae (fish egg soup) which is one of my favorite foods!  I had so many fish eggs in my soup that I joked to a colleague that I wouldn’t be able to eat fish eggs for another year.  

My dishes from Jeju!

Jeju Island is known for its breathtaking beauty.  During my trip there, I learned that there is so much more to enjoy—from a breezy stroll to the open minds of Korea’s students to the comfort of local food.  I hope you too get a chance to visit soon.