▲ Photo by Ahn Yujin, Team Jeju discovery times

[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 Center (JDC). JDC Junior Journalist articles are only briefly edited by mentors before publishing.]

On Saturday, May 17th, there was a press conference with the chairmam of the Jeju Free International City Development Center (JDC), Kim Han-Wook. He described the beginning of JDC and how it was built. “In 1997 when Korea has IMF economy crisis- that was very big problem. At that time, Hong Kong and Macao belong by China. But now Korea is profitable for export because Korea broadcasting by continent and the sea. The JDC was established in to advertize Jeju city and make it into an international city.”

Kim Han-wook explained the reason that the JDC was founded. He said “the JDC stands for the temperament of its people, brand, and free movement. Our plan is make a cool Jeju; Then our Korea will become a better place.” In his opinion, sightseeing helps makes Jeju a Free International City. Also, Jeju is a natural city, so he doesn’t want to make factories in Jeju because they will create air pollution.

Kim Gan-wook mentioned the good points about Jeju becoming a free international city, as well as his future goals. One of the JDCs accomplishents is setting up the Global Education City. All the students who graduate from NLCS, one of the schools who set up a branch here, have gone to the top rated universities in the world. “It will help the country’s economic system. It will make Jeju, as well as Korea, more famous when Jeju fulfills its goal of becoming a Free International City.” He believes the projects that the JDC is currently working on will make Jeju into a more international city, and improve the quality of life for Jeju’s citizens as well as those visiting.

Finally Kim Gan-wook added, “For bright students like the Junior Journalists, we are going to make an English Camp. We will get aproximately 2 billion won from Korea goverment, and we will pick 20 students during this summer’s vacation for a special camp that will go on for 3 weeks. We will pick lots of students who are smart, and have lots of money. But even if they don’t have lots of money I will pay for them to join this experience.” He thinks that Jeju Island should make lots of programs that have opportunities for students to learn or study.