▲ Photo by Jeju Style Team

[This article is written by a JDC Junior Journalist. The JDC Junior Journalist program is an educational project sponsored by Jeju Free International City Development Corporation (JDC). JDC Junior Journalist articles are only briefly edited by mentors before publishing.]

Saryeoni forest is a place which has been recognized as a Bisosphere Reserve by UNESCO. It is one of Jeju’s special natural resources and it is distributed around Halla Mountain. It has many natural healing properties. On September 21st , The Jeju Weekly Junior Journalist Program members went to Saryeoni forest and had some interviews with visitors.
We met a little girl who’s only eleven years old walking the forest with her family. Her name is Park Da Eun and she said “ It’s my first time being here and I’m sure I want to come here again because of the peaceful atmosphere and fresh air. If I had to describe this forest in one word, it would be nature itself”. This little girl knows that Saryeoni Forest is the place where she wants to return to.
Saryeoni Forest’s walking path is not too steep. Therfore, even little children can walk with ease and joy. Big trees cast shade so people feel comfortable. It is the perfect condition for walking.
While we were enjoying the fresh air of the forest we met a man, Lee Chan Young, who seemed to know a lot about the place. He said that this is very good forest, but nowadays, too many people are visiting and he is worried that this will destroy the Saryeoni Forest.
Many people are working hard to preserve the forest. For instance, trash cans aren’t allowed in the park because they could disturb the ecosystem. However, with an increased number of visitors each year this might not be enough to save the forest.
According to Jeju special self-governing province, around 330,000 people visited the forest last year alone. The number is continuously increasing and recently it became 2,000 people per day.
A lot of people love Saryeoni forest but we should limit the number of visitors per day to preserve the beauty of the place. In this way, Saryeoni forest can continue to be one of the beautiful places in Jeju that draws visitors every year. If we all work hard to preserve this natural wonder the forest will be around for generations to come.