It is my first year, but it is now four years since The Jeju Weekly was born. With the help of Grandmother Seolmundae, here’s to four more!

A lot can happen in four years! Many things that were on the horizon in 2009 are now in full swing and Jeju has grown immensely, in many directions. 89 editions have passed and only She knows how many articles.

Looking back at that first edition, it is evident how things change, but things stay the same. Publisher Song Jung-hee asked back in May, 2009, “Why are there no bus schedules and route maps in English?” I overheard the same thing asked only last week.

In that opening editorial, Song set out her goal for the paper: to turn the city’s slogan - Free International City - into “a reality for foreigners.” But, as Rohit Talwar told the Weekly a couple of weeks ago: “a slogan is a promise.”

But Jeju’s slogan is more than a promise, it is a legal entity: “The Special Act on Jeju Free International City” was promulgated in January, 2002. It is what people are told when they arrive at the airport and what they are reminded of when they leave. It is drilled home.

At The Jeju Weekly, we probably owe our existence to this Special Act, as the slogan gave impetus to projects previously unrealizable, or unimaginable. It continues to be the Jeju Weekly’s goal to contribute towards Jeju as an international city, in whatever guise that may be.

It is not an easily achievable aim and Jeju’s international residents have mixed views about whether the paper has so far succeeded in giving the community a voice.

New Zealander Alister Martin believes the newspaper is little more than a “tourist brochure,” while others feel the paper needs more independence if it is to truly represent international residents. There is also a feeling that the paper is too teacher-centric, neglecting the majority of non-Koreans on Jeju: migrant workers and international spouses.

Despite these notes of caution, the majority of feedback was positive. American Tom Summers says, “It's a branch not only [within] the Western community, but between the Korean and Western communities.” Another American, Connor Rafferty, says, “...It's mostly pro-Jeju, but I assume that its mandate is to be pro-Jeju. Plus, it should be pro-Jeju. We should all be pro-Jeju. Jeju is interesting as hell.”

I agree: “Jeju is interesting as hell” and I hope our stories reflect that. While ideally the paper would be a fifth estate within Jeju official media, the reality necessitates a balanced approach - between critique and celebration.

Over the next year, although I will doubtlessly be found guilty of “repping” Jeju - and that is a good thing - I will also strive to make the Jeju Weekly the voice of the international community, taking a critical stance on the island’s status as a Free International City and providing a forum for Jeju concerns.

Jeju is unique in Korea in having an English community newspaper and the platform it provides is available to all. We thank you all for your support.