The Korean Cultural Center in Thailand (Director: Mr. Cho, Jae Il) hosts '2023 Jeju Haenyeo Exhibition' with Jeju-do Province, at the 2nd floor's gallery of the center on 26th April at 10AM. 

Hanyeo are female whose job is harvesting seafood while controlling breathing without any apparatus.

The exhibition introduces the Culture of Jeju Haenyeo, which was officially recognized by UNESCO as their Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016, by displaying photos, tools, and dress for their Muljil (underwater harvesting). 

The opening ceremony was held with various sessions on 26th April, including 'talk with Haenyeo', Jeju food experience, making Haenyeo music box and Haenyeo market, selling special craft themed Haenyeo. 

In the beginning of the opening ceremony, Ms. Ko, Songja and Ms. Jeon, Youkyeong, have 40 years’ and 6 years’ experience each as Haenyeo. introduced their harvesting tools to audiences, such as Bitchang (tool for picking abalones up) and Kakuri (tool for picking sea products up between rocks). 

After then, H.E. Mr. Moon, Seung-hyun, the Korean ambassador to Thailand delivered a congratulatory speech that “The Haenyeo culture of Jeju Island symbolize the vitality of Korean culture. I hope this exhibition will be the opportunity to learn both countries similarity and difference, through Haenyeo’s life and exchange with similar culture in Thailand.”

During 'talk with Haenyeo' session, two Haenyeo met around 50 audiences in Thailand, including reporters, workers from tourism industry and students. Ms. Ko and Ms. Jeon wearing traditional diving suit, answered various questions from audiences, such as about actual life as Haenyeo, as it has been well-known to foreigners as well through popular K-series. Both said, “Sometimes we feel difficulty when weather or our harvest result is not good. However, we are found of ourselves as we build our own life by helping each other.”

Audiences made their own music box using Haenyeo and sea animals shaped accessories, then experienced Jeju food, including Noodle Soup with Pork, Abalone porridge and Hanrabong(Jeju's mandarin orange) Ade. People also enjoyed shopping at Haenyeo Market, buying air freshener, accessories, and pouch shaped Haenyeo.

The center will sell Abalone porridge and Hanrabong Ade at the gallery from 2PM everyday to promote Jeju food, under the collaboration with the Korean restaurant ‘Jeju’  in Thailand.