▲ Photo by Yang Jiyeong

[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 a clear sunny day in May, the chairman of JDC talked about his company and his projects.

First, he said, “My goal is to make Jeju citizens healthy. Also, our company has to make some money to keep Jeju’s natural resources intact for you and our descendents. Future generations must also keep Jeju’s natural resources intact, like us.”

According to the JDC brochure, “JDC’s goal is to make Jeju an open-sky city, so visitors can come without visas. Also, low corporate tax will help goods and capital move freely through the Jeju economy.”

He spoke to the meaning of the JDC, “I will make Jeju a free international city. The free international city means that people, things, and capital can move freely. This helps the province’s economic system because it enables a tourist industry to thrive. I will do this because I want to show Jeju’s beautiful natural resources to you everybody, your children, and even your children’s children.”

The chairman also mentioned the positive things about the free international city project. “If Jeju becomes a free international city, Jeju’s GDP will rise higher and higher. Like I said, it helps the country’s economy system. As our GDP increases and reaches to the sky, the citizens’ quality of life will also increase. Finally, economic affluence will come to Jeju if this happens.

He added, “For students like you, Junior Journalists, it also help a lot. For example, I will build the Myths and History Theme Park. If it opens, that will make a lot of jobs for students like you and others. Another example, the free international city is making a good educational enviroment like the English Village. The NLCS and the Branksome Hall which are in the English Village are part of the JDC. Since their construction, we have a lot of fun activities and programs like english camps in the English Village.”

JDC is working on a lot of projects, such as a English Village, Myths and History Theme Park, the Air Space Museum, the Health Care Town, and other special projects. They also try to protect Jeju’s natural resources and make some new tourist attractions.