▲ Scenes such as this at Gwakji Beach, which is officially open June 28 to Aug 31, could be seen earlier on Jeju as the province plans to extend the beach season into June from 2015. You can see more of MacDonald's work at www.flickr.com/photos/dmacs_photos/. Photo by Douglas MacDonald.

In response to The Jeju Weekly’s beach season poll on the popular Facebook group, Jeju Island Social, The Weekly contacted the Maritime and Fisheries Department of the local government to ask for their response. The results of the poll, which you can read more about here, show broad support for extending the beach season or removing it altogether.

The department representative, Kim Yong-deok, said that discussions are ongoing within local government about how to reform the beach season following widespread criticism from both tourists and local residents. Kim stressed that his department is in consultation with all stakeholders and many have responded positively to a longer beach season from 2015.

This is not the first time such a proposal has been tabled as the plan was also mooted 10 years ago. The cold sea temperatures at the time meant the proposal was not pursued, yet due to warming June seas early-summer bathing is now much more popular with both tourists and locals, he said. Tourist numbers are also increasing more rapidly in June than in the high summer months of July and August.

Despite the desire for an extended beach season, Kim said that his department lacked the budget this year to implement any changes. He also pointed out that lifeguards were on duty at many beaches from June 10 this year, which is earlier than in the past.

As a note of caution, Kim pointed out that the decision to extend the beach season does not rest with the province alone. A variety of organizations and institutions must be consulted including the coast guard, fire service and, most importantly, the village communities.

The final decision rests with villagers as they would be largely responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the beaches. Year-round beach opening has been piloted in the past, but villagers struggled to maintain facilities and toilets became crime hotspots.

The early opening would also depend on adequate infrastructure and standards at public beaches such as there being sufficient sand for public recreation, clean and efficient facilities (showers, toilets, etc) and life guards available.

Kim said that any decision on changing the beach season for 2015 will be made next year.